Adrian,
I was thinking about getting one of those thermostats too. They are 165 degree,
if I remember correctly.
The benefit to the skirt is that it restricts the bypass as the main valve
opens. It OUGHT to result in lower engine temps than your previous one.
So, either there is less flow through the radiator, or the engine is putting
out more heat, or the radiator is radiating less. Or the sender is sending the
wrong signals. They are the only options.
An oil cooler is not the answer (IMHO).
THere must be something else going on to cause inadequate cooling. Maybe the
radiator needs a good cleaning internally (maybe professionally).
How did you calibrate the temp gauge? Dip the sender in hot water while
still hooked to the car? A grounding wire attached to the sender itself?
-Tony
ARhodes@compuserve.com
Message text written by INTERNET:triumphs-owner@autox.team.net
>From: Adrian Jones <AdrianJones@compuserve.com>
Subject: TR3 Overheating?
Hi Folks,
Well, I'm in another quandary (other projects will have to wait - heater
replacement, valve noise, distributor springs, bikini top)
Seems the old thing is overheating. Read on:
While I was putting in one of those new Moss Motors skirted thermostats, I
took the opportunity to "calibrate" the temp gauge.
The needle half way is 70C (158F), three-quarters is 90C (194F) and just
below the red zone is 98C (208F). The last point was with the pan of water
boiling. The Moss Motors sleeved thermostat started opening at 75C (167F),
BTW.
Both Haynes and Ball say the temp should not exceed 85C (185F)
OK, today with an ambient temp of 80F, we went on a 10 mile trip "round the
block" - country roads, zero traffic and I'm getting 90C. Yesterday,
coming home from work, again an ambient of 80F, with moderate traffic,
stopping at traffic lights and such, it actually went into the red zone
until I could get to the open road. Needless to say I was very worried
about doing some horrendous damage.
The question is: is this sort of normal for a TR3?
BTW, no matter how much coolant I put in, whenever I check the level after
a run, it has always dropped to 1/4" from the bottom of the "long neck".
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