running a little hot?

[richardJr]

I have a question for any caring soul that would like to offer up some advice. I have been working on a 71 gt that seems for the most part to be in great shape. Engine is strong and compression is decent with no adverse rocker noise. It is in origional condition...basically bought it as a basket case and saved it's life. The last fellow that owned it as one of my friends called it, "buggered it up good". The simple question I have is the "N" in the temp gauge. Seems I remember it running strait up on the "N" but now it is let's say about 5 oclock position. I did the best I could with cleaning the radiator and changed all the fluids...new cap and water pump is not leaking. Fan belt is within tollerance. Short of a new radiator which may or may not fix the problem...(if I even have one)I am some what at a loss as what to do next. I fear using any cleaners for I have heard they can cause more problems in the end with these old cars. All I can tell you is the water ran clean and not alot of crude came out as I put the old hose to the top and bottom. Was wondering if a bad temp sending unit would do this...you gonna laugh now...I am in fear of removing that too... gonna need a bigger boy to bust that nut off. Any advice would really be appreciated.
I wish upon you all and all loved one's a very happy day and a better evening to follow.

 

[jsneddon]

stick a meat thermometer in her and see if she's done....

 

[Geo Hahn]

This is the tool I like for checking temps under the bonnet:

https://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?ca...5&hp=search

Since you just flushed things out... do you have some coolant in the mix or are you running straight water? Have you set the timing? These are some simple things that can affect the running temp.

Checking the actual temp is a good first step, especially on a "C-N-H" gauge.

 

[calmone]

possibly the fan clutch is defective, that will cause oveerheating. i've had the problem on two cars so far.

 

[jsneddon]

[ QUOTE ]
This is the tool I like for checking temps under the bonnet:

https://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?ca...5&hp=search


[/ QUOTE ]

So where do you point that thing Geo?

 

[richardJr]

Dear sir...
you got some smarts there... I never thought to actually check the darn temp via a candy therm or any other device that can aid me here. Simple things one forgets...bows head and laughs at self. I have read up on smiths guages and at times they are even a hit and miss. I really want to thank you for pointing out the obvious here and I shall now check to see where I am running at after the car is at running temp. Just for your info...I am running a 50\50 mix of anti freeze and water...going to put in a 160 stat...and see what happens. Maybe you could answer a simple question for me here...I have the timing set at 16 degrees btdc...(digital strobe)but have also read in other places 14 btdc is normal. I have also read these things like to have idle set at 600rpm+\- and timing as above mentioned 16 btdc. I have looked at the distributer for wear and no real slack to be noticed....(aka not lobed out and solid). Points and condenser are new along with all the htlead wires.New plugs..wires...coil... cap...you name it...any ideas why this thing won't run at any thing less then at best 900rpm?
any advice would be greatly appreciated. Fun little car you know...perfect for the weekend query and hair pulling moments. 1971mgbgt

 

[Geo Hahn]

[ QUOTE ]
So where do you point that thing Geo?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, for this purpose I would point it at the tsat housing just to the rear of the thermostat (that's where the temp sender is). But if you're like me you'll be shooting temps all over the place... the head, exhaust manifold, lower radiator, glass of Coca Cola, back of your mouth, wife's ear, etc.

I used to think "the engine runs at 180 degrees" but you soon realize there is a vast array of temps under the bonnet -- some places are verrrry hot.

PS: I do not know the GT6 engine, but 600 rpm seems like a low idle -- is that what the manual specifies?

 

[jsneddon]

I love putting my brain around stuff like this... You aren't reading the water temp but the thermostat housing temp... but then again since the sending unit is attatched to the tstat housing it is acting as a bit of a heat sink anyway so it's a pretty valid test. But then again....

it makes my head spin.

So I take it that pointing it there seems to match pretty closely to what your temp guage says?

Since I'm not going to go out and spend 50 bucks on this very cool gizmo I have to ask:

How hot is your exhaust manifold?

And how hot IS your wife's ear ??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif