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T-Series TF 1500 Operating Temperature?

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CCURTISS

CCURTISS

Jedi Hopeful
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For you folks with TF's, what are you observing as an operating temperature?

We had the TF out for a drive this weekend and it was about 96 degrees out and I noticed the temp gauge was hitting 100c to 105c. The care was not steaming or anything, just seemed quite hot since the owners manual said it should run between 85c and 90c.

Any thoughts?
 
Sounds a bit hot to me. Consider having the radiator cleaned out and cooling system flushed. TFs will sometimes run hotter than other T-Series cars because of the smaller radiator and more confined engine bay, but I would feel better if your running temperature were 15-degrees less.
 
Gday if the car was not steaming or showing other signs of being very hot, check your gauge is reading correctly.Just a thought, Bob
 
Good point. Always check the coolant temp with a candy thermometer before trusting the accuracy of the gauge.
 
What is a Candy thermometer? Will a laser thermometer work?
 
A candy thermometer is literally what it sounds like. It's a traditional-looking thermometer, about 6" long, and is used for measuring the temperature of food items (like candy) while being cooked or boiled. They only cost a few dollars and are normally pretty accurate.

Dip it into the coolant through your radiator cap and you get a true reading of the coolant. Do this while the engine is running to avoid inaccuracies. Of course I don't recommend this in a pressurized system, which the TF isn't.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_thermometer

23032251.jpg
 
Steve,

You know that is a great idea. My A's temp gauge's accuracy is somewhat suspect and I have been looking for a way to check it without removing the bulb...

This is one of those <span style="font-style: italic">'why didn't I think of that?</span>' moments.. :smirk:
 
You can thank the old-school methods for this one. Many pre-war cars didn't have a temperature gauge, so this is the only way to check.
 
Steve,

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Many pre-war cars didn't have a temperature gauge [/QUOTE]

I had a 1930 Model A Ford back in high school that had a temperature gauge as part of the radiator cap.... Looked really cool... Maybe I should cut a hole in the hood of the A and put one on the MGA.. :jester:
 
It's called a Moto-Meter. They were, and still are a popular accessory for pre-war and early post-war cars. I guarantee you would have the only MGA in history with one installed!
 
Steve,
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I guarantee you would have the only MGA in history with one installed!
[/QUOTE]


:lol: :lol: :lol:

What else can I say... :cheers:
 
"Of course I don't recommend this in a pressurized system, which the TF isn't."

Steve - You need to check again, The TD is a pressurized system, TDs and earlier are the ones without pressurized cooling systems. A pressurized system can have the cap removed and a thermometer inserted safely, the pressurization only allows the system to operate at a higher temperature without boiling and running it open at idle doesn't normally get the coolant hot enough to boil anyway, unless one is using plain water.
Cheers,
 
Oops, you're right! I don't know those 'modern' cars like the TF very well. LOL! :smile: Still, it isn't good practice to remove a hot pressurized radiator cap.
 
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