Engine temp at idle

1

123finboy

Member
I have a 332V8 that runs great and cool at speed. But when waiting at a light on hot days, the temp gauge moves to the high end of the range. No steam or boil over, it just gets very warm until I start moving again and the temp returns to normal. I'm wondering, would a new six blade high output fan make a difference at idle?
 
Yes. I used a seven blade fan from a Granada with A/C. It helped the low speed but made a bit more noise at high speed. I have since gone to an electric fan. There are several ways to skin this cat.
 
With a good thermostat, a non corroded radiator and a stock fan, you should stay within a 10-20 degree F range. Increasing air flow through a bad radiator will solve your problem TEMPORARILY. How old is your Radiator and t-stat?
 
The car was restored about 10 years ago, and has been well maintained ever since. The radiator was restored at that time. Is it time for a good flush?
 
Lowrider: The car is 1958 Fairlane 500. I see fan shrouds for later models, but not mine. I'm not sure there is even an OEM part for a '58. Do you know of a possible source?
 
Since it doesn't seem to boil over - maybe the best thing would be to check the actual temperature rise. If you can get your hands on a infrared thermometer - have a look at the temp of the thermostat housing in several different conditions. Many of our outfits have had temp gage readings that alarmed us - but not the engine...... :)
 
GREENBIRD56 said:
Since it doesn't seem to boil over - maybe the best thing would be to check the actual temperature rise. If you can get your hands on a infrared thermometer - :)
Click to expand...

My plan is - if it ain't loosing water it ain't hot - now having said that, get the infrared temp measuring device and see what your actual temperature is.

Put an 87 Continental engine in a 66 Falcon, temp gauge went "hot" side of normal...put the ol temp checker on it and found out it was at 190, exactly as it should have been...
 
I got an infrared measure of the temp. When the needle is at the upper end of the range, temp is only 187 degrees. A mechanic buddy of mine says that these old guages were designed before today's modern coolants. 187 degress was firting with trouble in '58, but not so much today.
 
I once had a high temperature reading that was way too high. I changed out the thermostat, changed out the temperature sending unit, tightened the fan belt, flushed the cooling system, checked the timing to make sure that it wasn't too far retarded. I was beyond my self of what to do next. I then replaced the dash temperature gauge and I found out that the old gauge had gone out of calibration. All that fuss for nothing. :(
 
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