Wedge TR8 running hot

[RoseRoyce]

I've now driven my TR8 approximately 2300 miles, since I bought it in June and it runs like a charm. It was a dual carburetor converted to a 4 barrel Holly with a K&N filter. My other LBC is a '77 MGB roadster, so this is quite a change.

The weather here has been mostly in the range of 60 to 70 degrees F, and the temperature gauge car has been staying at 1/4. For the past few weeks, it has been running at just below 1/2, but the temperature has been warmer in the 80's.

The previous owner had changed the coolant last fall, and according to my mechanic everything looks fine in that department. I changed the thermostat to a lower temperature unit, but that doesn't help. My mechanic tells me that this is normal, and that these 8 cylinder cars do run hotter.

I was planning to head down to Bennington VT for the Cruise-in at Hemmings tomorrow night (a 5 hour drive). Am I right to worry about the higher temperature, or is this normal?

 

[DougF]

I would tend to agree with your mechanic as you describe the gauge reading.
If the gauge was staying near the red, I would want to reconsider the trip. Both of my Triumph temp gauges hover toward the middle.

 

[RSMTR8]

Agreed,

Until I replaced my radiator last fall, mine always stayed around the half mark after warmed up. But I must tell you after I upgraded to the 3 tube it now never goes over the 1/4 mark. But I would not worry. If it goes over the 1/2 mark, keep an eye on it!


Rod

 

[Tinster]

Bernie!

Get an infrared gun and take it with you on a drive.
Pull over with engine running, pop the hood and
quickly shoot the thermostat housing, primary radiator
hose and radiator cap.

That will give you a decent idea what temps you
are really running.

hope this helps,

tin

 

[SCguy]

My TR8 stays between 1/2 and 3/4 most of the time. Sacramento has been around or over 100 degrees lately. On a day in the 90s I hit some bumper to bumper traffic and got worried, but it really never went past 3/4. I think a radiator upgrade is a good idea, but I'd only worry if you hit extended bumper to bumper traffic on your trip.

 

[tdskip]

Can you back-flush a TR8 radiator? should this be considered an every 6 month maintenance item?

 

[tr8todd]

You need to make sure that you have bled all of the air out of the cooling system and topped off accordingly. After you replaced the t-stat, did you burp the coolant resevoir several times over the next few days? This should be done when the engine is warm.(be very careful you don't get a face full of hot coolant) Air tends to collect in the top hose, and it takes some time to get it out.

 

[RoseRoyce]

Hi Rod,
This is all very interesting...where did you get your 3 tube rad. I see that Wedge Parts have two different radiator models listed. There might be others , but I have'nt had a chance to surf yet.
Thanks,
Bernie

 

[RSMTR8]

Went to my local Radiator shop, and they did it for me. Woody has some great ones that are Aluminum, more expensive, but work great! My local shop was able to do this more reasonably, and the car runs MUCH cooler. I think the whole thing labor and all was around $350 installed.



Rod

 

[PATR8]

I never had trouble with mine over heating but it ran over 1/2 mark and I was paranoid so I bought an aluminum one from Woody and it never went over 1/2 then one day my brother was over and he commented that the one fan was not spinning fast enough so we tested it and it was not drawling enough amps, fixed that and now it never runs over 1/4 and I am sure my original rad would have been fine

 

[TR3driver]

he commented that the one fan was not spinning fast enough so we tested it and it was not drawling enough amps,

What was the problem ? Bad connection ?

 

[PATR8]

It was a old wire that must have hhad a break inside the rubber coating, changed the wire out and it ran fine.