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RE: Are MGB's designed to overheat

To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Are MGB's designed to overheat
From: TheSkinny@aol.com
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 1996 12:53:14 -0400
>>My question is...What is normal for an MGB?  Are they designed to remain
cool
at idle with no wind and an air temp of 80F?, 90F?, 100F?  Can anyone relate
to experience with a brand new '66 MGB?  Surely they were raced and rallyed
and maintained there cool.  Any modern car will climb the hill to the resort
without overheating.  What should I expect from this car if in perfect order?
 (as designed).  I had a twin com MGA that NEVER overheated.<<

I once read that once the thermostat opens, the cooling system in an MGB will
run 110-115 degrees hotter than the surounding outside ambient air temp.  At
80 degrees, the car will run at 190-195, at 90degrees, the car will run at
200-205.  Under load this can increase slightly.  The British had never been
to Death Valley so the thought never occured to them that it could get 125
degrees outside. 

Air cooled engines run around 300 degrees.  As long as the system doesn't
boil over, the car hasn't overheated.  Check the pressure in the system if
you are experiencing boil over at an opperating temp of 230.  With a 7lb cap,
you should be just under the boiling point, and with a 15lb cap, you should
be fine up to 240.

Also check timing, carb mixture, plug heat range, and consult magic 8 ball
for more answers.

David Riker



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