Engine Temps

[Jamieg285]

What is the ideal operating temperature for my car?
I'm running a relatively stock 400sbc, and have recently changed to an ally radiator.  Since then the temperatures have differered wildly, running hotter in the summer (I think this is more to do with the cowl not fitting right - needs modification), and cooler in the winter.
This made me wonder what temp I should be aiming for?

[55starchief]

With an alloy rad it should be running cooler as they are 40% more efficient. What thermostat you got installed?

[Jamieg285]

Quoting: 55starchief

With an alloy rad it should be running cooler as they are 40% more efficient.

That would add up with the winter running.  In the summer it was running hotter, but that is most likely down to the large gaps in the side of the cowl-rad edges.  I could actually feel the fan pulling the air through it rather than the rad.  This will get block in when I have the time.

Although more efficient (good thing), I still don't know what temp I should be aiming for.

Quoting: 55starchief

What thermostat you got installed?

Pretty sure it was a 160.  Was thinking that I might need to look for a 180 or higher for the winter.

[55starchief]

If you think its running 2 cold in the winter you can do what we used to do on the race car and tape over a section of the rad with duct tape

[Jamieg285]

Quoting: 55starchief

If you think its running 2 cold in the winter you can do what we used to do on the race car and tape over a section of the rad with duct tape

Yep, already thought of that one.  Used to do need to do it on my old 600cc motorbike too.

[Pod]

As I understand it, it should never run colder than the thermostat temperature, and if it's running hotter than the thermostat temp, then it's not able to cool enough.
Still doesn't answer your question as to what temp to aim for though.
For what it's worth, I have a 180 stat in mine - 160 is supposed to be too cold for it.

[Jamieg285]

Quoting: Pod

For what it's worth, I have a 180 stat in mine - 160 is supposed to be too cold for it.

That's a start I guess - do you know what a 160 is too cold?

[55starchief]

Correct temp for the SBC is 180F and optimum is 210F

Engine temps are also important for the oil system to function properly

[Jamieg285]

Quoting: 55starchief

Correct temp for the SBC is 180F and optimum is 210F

A-ha - Guess I do need a different stat then.

Wish I knew that before I bought one in the summer

[55starchief]

The most important thing is to keep a steady temp with no heat spikes. You running an electric fan with that rad?

[Jamieg285]

Quoting: 55starchief

The most important thing is to keep a steady temp with no heat spikes. You running an electric fan with that rad?

No, not yet, and to be honest, it's probably a long way down the line.

[55starchief]

Quoting: Jamieg285

No, not yet, and to be honest, it's probably a long way down the line.

your probably gonna have cooling issues if you stick with a stock fan due to the increased efficiency of the aluminium rad

[sixpack2639]

Quoting: 55starchief

Correct temp for the SBC is 180F and optimum is 210F

Engine temps are also important for the oil system to function properly

Correctamundo!!

[Pod]

Quoting: 55starchief

your probably gonna have cooling issues if you stick with a stock fan due to the increased efficiency of the aluminium rad

How's that work?
The whole point of the thermostat is to stop it cooling below it's set temperature. All you need then is a radiator and fan that will cool it down to that temperature. The more efficient the rad and more powerful the fan, the quicker it will be able to do that.

[Jamieg285]

Quoting: Pod

How's that work?
The whole point of the thermostat is to stop it cooling below it's set temperature. All you need then is a radiator and fan that will cool it down to that temperature. The more efficient the rad and more powerful the fan, the quicker it will be able to do that.

That's not my understanding of how the stat works.  I always thought it restricted the flow when cold, to allow the temperature to get up to the right temp quicker.  

At the moment,  (this morning anwyay )  The engine wasn't getting up to stat temp (although I suspect that it did reach sufficient temp to open it, but once opened it cooled to below it).

If I put a 180 on there, it would stay closed for longer, meaning a wamer engine at first, and close sooner, keeping the temps up.

[HardRockCamaro]

If the engine is too cold the automatic choke (or ecu) will keep the choke on too...
I'm running a 160 in my car which is too cold for it really.

[55starchief]

Quoting: Pod

How's that work?
The whole point of the thermostat is to stop it cooling below it's set temperature. All you need then is a radiator and fan that will cool it down to that temperature. The more efficient the rad and more powerful the fan, the quicker it will be able to do that.

With a hi efficiency radiator and a manual fan your constantly cooling the radiator and droping the temp so that the stat wont open.