Spitfire Spitifre Temp

[Trevor Triumph]

Now that it is getting cold here in the Valley of the Sun- below 70 degrees- the temp gauge on the car barely moves out of the first eighth of the sweep. Previously I used a water pump from an 1147 engine- it tended to over heat. I replaced it with a unit from Roadster Factory for the 1296 engine. I have to run with the choke on and add some cardboard to block the radiator. I'm wondering if I have an incorrect water pump, or the thermostat is faulty. T.T.

 

[TR3driver]

Almost certainly a thermostat problem ... does the radiator get warm to the touch ?

 

[70herald]

The 1147 and 1296 use the same water pump. the 1500 used a pump with a larger diameter pulley so that would explain the overheating since the pump would turn to slowly.
Under heating is most likely the result of a defective or missing thermostat.

 

[Andrew Mace]

For whatever reason, my Herald 1200 is very touchy in this area, demanding a cool thermostat for summer and a much warmer one for late fall and early spring (the car doesn't see much "winter" with our salty roads)!