104 degrees 8BA ran good!

pauldeborr

pauldeborr

Member
I always read threads on how flatheads overheat so I was anxious to try mine out in the summer heat. Got it out on the Freeway for about 20miles in about 103-104 degrees going 65 mph or so and the temp gauge never got above 165.

The next day I ran the truck through town in stop n go traffic for about an hour or so and never got above 165 again. I'm pretty proud of her right now.

1950 8BA Flathead
Red's Headers
Single Carb
No thermostats
Regular Antifreeze
 
No, didn't climb any hills but I don't usually. As far as thermostats go, when I built the engine I didn't have any so I just put it together with out them.

I have read lots of threads disscussing this issue. I figured if I started having problems I would go ahead and put them in. If I was in a colder climate I might put them in so It would warm up faster but thats not my issue.
 
pauldeborr said:
No, didn't climb any hills but I don't usually. As far as thermostats go, when I built the engine I didn't have any so I just put it together with out them.

I have read lots of threads disscussing this issue. I figured if I started having problems I would go ahead and put them in. If I was in a colder climate I might put them in so It would warm up faster but thats not my issue.
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I don't have an overheating problem (knock on wood), but mine runs centered on the gauge no matter how hot it is outside until I climb a hill.
 
I find it really depends on the engine series, radiator, and fan setup. The earlier flatheads don't do near as well in the heat as 8BAs do. Also, large frontal area truck radiators and fans really help.

I think you should put 180 degree thermostats in. You need to get the engine warm enough to drive the condensation out of the valve valley and crankcase or you develop sludge.
 
I have 160 degree thermostats in my 8BA, and 2 moon gauges on the heads. Mine running around town will get to 170 or so. We don't have any hills here in the panhandle.:)
 
pauldeborr said:
Got it out on the Freeway for about 20miles in about 103-104 degrees going 65 mph or so and the temp gauge never got above 165.
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That's difficult to believe. Are you using a calibrated mechanical gauge? I assume you're not trying to interpret the old stock gauge readings.

An even better idea is to use two calibrated mechanical gauges.
 
I do not believe it. Your temp gauge must be broken. No flathead runs that cool in the conditions you described.
 
my 41 24 stud runs at about 1/2 on the road but in warm weather 70+ at a stop it will go up to 7/8 or higher. I am running t stats N.O.S. radiator and the distributor has been set correctly. Any ideas on what I can do to make this better? I am running 6volts, basically stock truck. The engine has about 300+ miles on it now and it is a stroker with stock accessories on the outside.
 
I'm using a Mechanical SunPro gauge just off the Left head of the engine and that's the temp it's reading. Maybe I should add a gauge to the RH side as well. I just assume the RH side is about the same as the LH side.

Thanks for the input :)
 
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