Water temp, hot?

[AUSMHLY]

64BJ8 II. Hello all.
Yesterday was my first drive. How much fun is driving a Healey. Way!

She was averaging about 190 degrees when driving 50-60 mph. On the way home, 5 pm rush hour traffic, on the freeway, I was geared between 1st and second. Yes, on the freeway, for about 45 minutes. The temp then averaged between 200 and 215. I turned on the heater and that dropped it to average about 212.

Is this normal temps for my driving conditions?

During my restoration I:
1. Recored the heater and Radiator.
2. I have a metal six blade fan.
3. All new hoses.
4. New water pump.
5. Cleaned the inside of the water outlet elbow.
6. New thermostat 160 degree, reproduction of original
7. Using the 7lbs. radiator cap that PO installed, looks new.
8. Rebuilt the oil/temp gauge.

Should I replace the radiator cap with a higher pressure one?

Maybe the fan belt needs adjusting? Has about 1/2" free play.

I live in the San Francisco bay area.

Yup, your Healey is running just like it should, or here's what you need to address.

Dude, you need to unload that car as soon as possible. Runs hot and had a piece of bondo break off the left wing two days ago.

Looking forward to your input.
Cheers, Roger

 

[Dave Russell]

The temps you describe are not particularly unusual for the conditions. The actual boiling point is likely around 235, so you aren't losing any coolant. No need to turn on the heater unless you are cold.

Sorry about the Bondo incident.
D

 

[Keoke]

Hi Roger, if you recored the radiator then the core is too small a larger core is required to lower the temperatures at speed.What was the ambient air temperature you were driving in??. Yes turning the heater on will add a bit of cooler coolent to the system reducing the runing temperature briefly--Keoke

Also What six bladed fan are you runing??

 

[gonzo]

Hi Roger:

Hi Roger:

Back at it again are you?

Is the shroud(s)installed in front of the Radiator? This is an important part of the cooling system that's often overlooked. You probably wrestle with the shroud when installing the grill surround pieces. GONZO

 

[Dave Russell]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Roger, if you recored the radiator then the core is too small a larger core is required to lower the temperatures at speed.

[/ QUOTE ]
Keoke,
I'm under the impression that it was running fairly normal at speed, "She was averaging about 190 degrees when driving 50-60 mph." & only got hotter in very slow stop & go driving. Not particularly unusual.
D

 

[Keoke]

To hot for me dave, I want to see 175-to-185 at speed. I will give up the 2 or 3% efficiency for the lower running temps. If you runing at 190 in the normal ambient temperature range then at 120 Deg ambient it does not leave you any place to go except over to the side of the road to cool down. I might see 190 if I get stopped in traffic for a prolong period of time,but the moment she starts moving its headed for 175---Keoke

 

[Randy Harris]

I run 175 at speed and sometimes up to 190-195 in traffic on a warm day (and you know how questionable my cooling system is)

I know all of the fixes you have implemented and there is simply no reason for your car to be running hot. Roger if your radiator isn't puking my guess is your guage may be hinky (that never happens, right!). Or the new thermostat can be switched out or try a 12 lb cap. I don't think your car is in distress. Really.
Randy '66 BJ8.

 

[Michael Oritt]

I dealt with high-speed overheating by increasing radiator capacity and low-speed overheating by increasing air flow:

I installed a higher-capacity core (four staggered rows of 45 5/8" tubes versus the stock five rows of 30 1/2" tubes) and this cured my car's tendancy to overheat at speeds over 70 mph sustained. It did not, however, significantly improve its ability to deal with traffic situations. I had been through all of the fans (six-blade metal Moss fan, five-blade plastic Denis Welch which is, I think, the same as the Texas Kooler) on the market and I found that the steel flex-fan sold by British Car Specialists (Nock) made a real and noticeable difference in my car's ability to tolerate stop-and-go situations. When I am stuck in traffic on a hot day I still need to turn on the 10" electric fan mounted in front of the radiator.

Fuel boiling in the carbs is a different situation that I still have yet to cure--I think I need to look into installing a real heat shield as opposed to the cheesy stock one.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Before getting too concerned with indicated temperatures you might want to check the accuracy of the temp guage. On a four cylinder where the probe goes into the header tank you can use a candy thermometer and compare it to the guage. On a six you might want to use an infra-red thermometer and point it near the water pump.