MGB 1976 MGB Runs Hot

[tony barnhill]

Dart...I don't know anything about other types of LBC's...but I do know MG's don't run hot in any US clime if the cooling system is working properly...I remember 1967 in Oklahoma before going to Vietnam was as hot as h---......my little '63 MGB never ran hot even then & I couldn't afford lots of repair parts...

 

[Nunyas]

My '76 goes a little past "Normal" in the summer here in the LA (San Fernando Valley) area during summer heat and "city driving"... no electric fans just a yellow plastic belt driven fan on the water pump pulley and a 160 thermostat. The only time I've seen it get hotter than that was when the coolant level was low for some reason or other... possibly because I forgot to retop the radiator after changing a heater hose hard line.

However, I don't think an electric fan would hurt, but definitely not entirely necesary.

 

[tony barnhill]

In 1977 when they moved the radiator forward, they installed the 2 electric fans....what thermostat are you running? & what pressure radiator cap? radiator cap should be 15 pounds, thermostat should be 185

 

[Nunyas]

I using a 160 thermostat on my '76. When I got the car the thermostat in it had failed open, and was a PITA to warm up in the winter. I put a 160 on it in hopes of keeping it a bit cooler for the summer, but now that I think about it I don't think it really matters if the normal running engine temp is higher than any of the standard thermostats.

As for the rad cap, I haven't a clue. I know I can put it on and take it off fairly easily. 15 lbs might be it, but I really can't say because I never paid attention to what's written on it. Either way, the cooling system seems to work fine for me, and the guage never goes into the heat ranges that cause worry.