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Thermostat and blanking Sleeve question again

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Lin

Lin

Jedi Knight
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To Steve Gerow:
So I was reading through this old thread https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf/showthread.php?90781-Thermostat-questions

because now that I am in Florida full time I think I want to make a thermostat change. Steve, you did quite the job of reporting on various modifications you made. What did you finally end up with? Are you running a 160 degree thermostat, 180 or something else? Fully sleeved/partially sleeved? If you used the sleeve were you able to successfully use a double gasket to compensate for the height of the sleeve rim as well as the thermostat?

Lin
 
A simple answer would be that in the hot Florida climate you should run with a 160 degree thermostat. The thermostat does not determine the temperature at which the engine runs at but is there to ensure that the engine heats up as quickly as possible and so restricts the flow of water to the radiator until this is achieved. In cold climates you want the thermostat closed for longer so would chose a 180.
 
Derek Right on point it's time in the radiator and in the block. I have a 185 Deg. for cold weather. Normal temperature has a large meaning. You are at sea level different for cars above 4000 feet like me. Tuning, gas grades, fluid mix, oil weight, normal driving speeds ( highway as to stop and go ) all make your operating temp. You know your car run best at that temp. Your block can be over 300 deg your EX manifold can reach 500 deg. With todays fuels adding oil coolers fans bigger radiators are things that can work. The Radiator cap is many times over looked, You may have a bad or weak cap it may be 6 to 9 ponds you may want a 12 pound. Reason; water boils at 212 at sea level 50/50 water mix increases that but the rad cap keeps water from boiling at a higher temp above 212. The point is keeping fluid from boiling because steam can go to much higher temp. So what is bad about over heating a motor? Pinging or pre firing at cyl. motor oil is damage by heat so less lubricating adding to wear and vapor lock fuel to carbs. My test is your car should be able to idle at temp for ten minuets and not over heat at any out side temp. If it over heats then you have some thing wrong. Madflyer
 
BTW, you notice how your temperature gauge goes to 230F? That's the boiling point of water at 7 psig, the same pressure as your radiator cap.
 
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