[elky] Re: Even more curiouser

  • From: Ray Buck <rbuck@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:38:32 -0600

To answer your question about the accuracy of the car's temp gauge, it's about as accurate as I'm gonna get it.  It's an aftermarket mechanical gauge, and like all of 'em, they're only good for relative temperatures:



This was last week.  Now it runs at a pretty steady 190.  I think there were a several contributing factors.  First was manual control over the fan.  The ECU doesn't turn it on until 220.  That's just plain stupid.  I don't care HOW much of a reduction in emissions they got from it, that's just too hot to run a motor, especially with a radiator that has plastic end tanks.  Dumber than shit, as a matter of fact. 

The other factors were flushing the cooling system twice with chemical flush, then back-flushing it with clear water...which is what's in the radiator now.  Finally, the 180 t-stat is a lot better than a 195, IMNSHO.  According to the 3rd Gen F-body forums, this doesn't affect the ECU operation at all. 

Ok.  I gotta go get the battery box securely mounted in the race car.

r



On 7/24/2011 3:49 PM, Mary McCarthy wrote:
uhh - dumb question - all this fussing with the thermostat, is the car's gauge accurate?

Mary
That's exactly what I did.  And in the driveway, it never got over an indicated 170.  Who knows?  I'm gonna take it for a drive a bit later.  Right now the idea of a ride in a car w/o A/C and black interior isn't all that attractive.  :)  Besides...I got busted knuckles all the way up to my elbows.  I need a break.

r


On 7/24/2011 1:07 PM, Dann Keller wrote:
I think I'd start with the 180* stat.  At least it opened at some boiling level.
 
Dan
 
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:21:05 -0600
From: rbuck@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [elky] Even more curiouser

I guess there's something wrong with my testing methods.  First, at 4300 ft (approximately) water boils at 204F. 

Here's a shot of a brand-new 180F thermostat just starting to open at an indicated 200F as the water begins to boil.



It was fully opened as the water hit about 204, a rolling boil.

Then I tried a 195F thermostat that I had on hand:



The temp is as high as I can get it with an open pan and the t-stat hasn't even begun to open. 

Conclusion?  The one marked 180 opens at a lower temperature...whatever that might be.  The water temp indicated by the thermometer seems to be accurate...so it would seem.  But neither t-stat seems to open at its stated temperature...or even 10 degrees above it.  Beats the shit outta me.  I'm gonna go put the damned thing in the car and see what it does as indicated by the temp gauge.  I won't be surprised if it runs at 190 or so.

r




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