If the radiator cannot dissipate the heat of the engine then we are indeed
in agreement. But I do find this surprising, since not even my factory V8
suffers from that, while cruising, when the temps are in the 90s.
Cheers,
PaulH.
----- Original Message -----
From: Max Heim <mvheim@studiolimage.com>
To: Paul Hunt <paul.hunt1@virgin.net>; MG List <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2000 8:41 PM
Subject: Re: (Paul) Shroud Question
> I am in complete agreement about the fundamentals of thermostat
> operation. My point was that the following quoted condition is what one
> should expect from an MGB using a 165 degree thermostat, under normal
> driving conditions in the US, from May through October -- the engine will
> be generating more heat than the radiator can dissipate, except with full
> coolant circulation (thermostat wide open). Therefore the 165 degree
> thermostat will not achieve the intended effect of lowering the operating
> temperature (except after a cold start, and perhaps while coasting
> downhill).
>
> Furthermore, since the "normal" position on the temperature gauge is
> calibrated to something more like 185 degrees, I don't know why one would
> expect the engine to operate at 165, or near it, or why this would be
> desirable.
>
> Perhaps your experience is different, but in this country, MGBs have a
> reputation for running rather hotter than otherwise -- a condition
> attributable to the total heat-dissipating capacity of the system, not to
> the choice of thermostat, IMHO.
>
> Paul Hunt had this to say:
>
> >The only time any
> >thermostat is wide open is when the engine is generating more heat than
the
> >radiator can dissipate, i.e. slogging up a steep hill on a hot day, ...
>
>
> --
>
> Max Heim
> '66 MGB GHN3L76149
> If you're near Mountain View, CA,
> it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
>
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