I retro-fitted my sbc Cooling system with a Camaro radiator and a two speed Volvo efan. My question is; What temperature was the original six considered in the "Normal" range, according to the dash gauge.


I want to get a temp sender that will read in the "Normal" range when running say 180-190F.

 

About 82ºC to 88ºC (180-190F) should be about middle of the 'normal scale'

The Jaguar spec sender should do the trick


Cheers
DD

 

Another temp gauge question... my 86 SIII runs fine but the inside temp gauge always sits about 75C (167F), even after running highway for maybe an hour. In this post Doug said 82-88C is about "normal". So certainly better than running hot, but is running a bit cool OK? I was thinking of replacing the temp sensor under the bonnet since maybe it is just a bit tired and off in its readings.

Thanks - Randy

 

How are you measuring the temperature? If it's with an analog gauge inside the card, it may not be reading correctly. You need to measure with a laser temp gun. Cheap money at Harbor Freight.

Bill

 

Ditto, verify the numbers. One of my HF toys is an IFR sensor. Slick.

Agree 167 is a tad cool,. if true.

It isn't the sensor that govern F or C, it is the T'stat and the of course, the condition of the doooling system.

My "lump" relies on Jag sensors and guage. Runs at 90 C. For the LT1, just about right.
Been that ways since just before 2006. No o'heat issues.

OTH. circa 2001, when still DOHC powered the guage let me down. Demise of the engine...


Gonna enjoy Thanksgiving II in a bit, At son and his SOL's place. T I was here., Great meal by daughter. Life is good....
Carl

 

Thanks for temp gun suggestion. Always looking to buy myself a Christmas present. A bit of a newbie on some things... Where is the proper place to point the gun when taking a reading? Radiator hose output from the engine... or perhaps the rail right where the temp sensor is plugged in?

BTW, I spent yesterday loading 5 tires in the Jag, dropping the lot off at the tire store and Uber-ing home and back later that day. Fresh rubber! Front end alignment and the mid section heat shield re-attached to stop the clanging below. What a wonderful difference. Couldn't do much of a test drive last night, but plan to cruise today.

Nothing special, but a great deal from my brother's tire distributor, bar drinking friend. Wanted Pirelli or Michelin, but maybe next time!! And it killed me to not be able to clean up the Kents before mounting, but again, down the road. Slow and steady is the mantra for these cars

 

I measure engine temp in my car is the back of the head.
Exhaust and other stuff is in the way of measuring the block.

Michelin were the BEST tires I ever drove! Hugged the road like they were glued to it, made the car corner like it was on rails.
However, they've priced themselves out of my reach lately so I'm "settling" for siped TOYOs.
(';')

 

To "compare" Real time numbers on the IFR vs the ones on the guage, read as close to the sender as possible.

For hottest area, agree with LNRB as to the SBC in her car.

As my SBC is reverse circulated, it is up front.

Then, for fun or confusion. read the tanks on the radiator, entry and exit... More... engine oil sump. Transmission pan...

Bill, don't need the IFR to detect the right temp on one of my iron skillets. But, I have set off the smoke detector!!!!

Cold and wet around here. Hibernate...

Carl

 

I typically measure at the sending unit and/or thermostat housing. And various spots of the radiator.

IFR meaurements are not the be-all and end-all but are very useful for discovering big discrepancies in gauge reading vs actual temperatures.

For just one example I was recently working on a nicely restored Mustang. In normal driving, in non-stressed conditions, the temp gauge was reading about 3/4 way up the scale, towards "H". The IFR readings, at various points on the engine, hoses, radiator, etc were never higher than a safe and normal 190ºF. I used a variable resistor to bring the gauge reading back down to mid-scale on the gauge.

Jaguar itself used a similar trick, adding an inline resistor between the sending unit and the wire to the temp gauge. The consensus over the years is that this was done on as as-needed basis, as presence of the resistor has seldom been reported and seems to follow no pattern

Cheers
DD