“Normal” model a temp

Re: “Normal” model a temp

I decided to put the hood on this evening and take the car for a drive. The engine temp was running at about 185. Climbed up to 195 after climbing a long steep hill at full throttle. I was pushing it harder than I normally would but i wanted to see what the temp would do. After climbing the hill the temp quickly came back down to the 185 area. While cruising, i pulled over and removed the front license plate which was mounted on the headlight bar, right in front of the radiator.... after removing the license plate, the temps went into the mid to high 170’s. I climbed a few hills, not nearly as hard as the first one but the temp stayed pretty consistent only climbing 5 degrees. I think i should relocate my plate to the bumper and call it good.
 
Re: “Normal” model a temp

Don’t you think by concentrating so much on temperature, you’ve possibly taken the fun out of driving your Model A ?
 
Re: “Normal” model a temp

Sounds like you're good. As long as it doesn't boil over it'll be fine. Next winter have the radiator cleaned out, it'll be good til then.
 
Re: “Normal” model a temp

I run approx 50-50 year round. Took the coupe out today, 67 degrees, came home, shot the radiator, got 140 degrees at the top, 134 degrees at the bottom. This is usually where it runs.
 
Last edited:
Re: “Normal” model a temp

RPM, Next time use the IR thermometer to check the head, block, and pan too. The point of my post is that the engine temperature is not the same as the temperature of the coolant at the neck or radiator, especially with a thermostat. With my coolant temperature at 140 the pan was around 205 which is enough to boil off any water vapor there.

Another point is that I modified my thermostat by drilling 6 holes 1/4-inch in diameter in the flange to replace the one hole that was about 3/16 diameter. That provides some flow with the thermostat closed and helps when the thermostat is open too.
 
Re: “Normal” model a temp

McMimmcs said:
Don’t you think by concentrating so much on temperature, you’ve possibly taken the fun out of driving your Model A ?
Click to expand...

Im not sure how making sure im not prematurely wearing out my motor is taking the fun out Of driving my model a? I do enjoy driving the car. Thats why im making sure im good to go with what i have. Unless you think sitting along the road while your overheating is fun....
 
Re: “Normal” model a temp

Slowmotoring said:
Im not sure how making sure im not prematurely wearing out my motor is taking the fun out Of driving my model a? I do enjoy driving the car. Thats why im making sure im good to go with what i have. Unless you think sitting along the road while your overheating is fun....
Click to expand...

Exactly!! You're doing the right thing.
 
Re: “Normal” model a temp

I have the Apco temp gauge so not sure how accurate it is but when I started running my truck this spring, the temp gauge was always in the middle of the green, guessing 160ish with outside temp around 70 - low 80's. Last weekend it was in the mid 90's and the temp went into the red, guessing 200 - 210ish. I flushed the radiator out with white vinegar, ran it up to temp then flushed with straight water 3 times then filled with 50/50. Went to a car show that weekend and it went to the line between the green and red, so 190ish.
 
Re: “Normal” model a temp

Garwood said:
I have the Apco temp gauge so not sure how accurate it is but when I started running my truck this spring, the temp gauge was always in the middle of the green, guessing 160ish with outside temp around 70 - low 80's. Last weekend it was in the mid 90's and the temp went into the red, guessing 200 - 210ish. I flushed the radiator out with white vinegar, ran it up to temp then flushed with straight water 3 times then filled with 50/50. Went to a car show that weekend and it went to the line between the green and red, so 190ish.
Click to expand...

I have the apco gauge also, My temps seem to be matching yours pretty accurately.
 
Re: “Normal” model a temp

Aretino said:
APCO gauge as well. 190 on a hot day. 50/50 mix.
Click to expand...


That's good to hear it's normal. I was worried my radiator needed replacing. Since April, it was always in the middle of the green but that day it got into the red. I was worried so stopped for 30 mins to let it cool down.
I'm going to another car show this Sat and it should be in the mid 70's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top