I guess it's time to repeat my mantra: a 160 degree thermostat is silly. The
efficient, natural operating temperature of the engine is around 190
degrees. Using a lower temperature thermostat merely delays the engine
reaching operating temperature, to the detriment of just about everything.
And if the ambient temperature is low enough, it prevents the engine from
reaching operating temperature at all. A further effect is that the heater
output is even more feeble than usual, just when you would appreciate some
warmth.
I repeat -- a lower-temperature-rated thermostat does NOT prevent the engine
from "overheating", under any circumstances. Once the thermostat is wide
open, it has no effect; and if the engine has some problem which is going to
make it overheat, it will do so regardless.
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires
on 2/20/10 5:55 PM, MGBOB at mgbob@juno.com wrote:
> Gene,
> It seems hot to me, especially at 40 degree temps.
> I have one of the IR thermometers also; my readings in 60 degree temps
> were 185F at the radiator of my '72 MGB amd 70C of my TD. I forget what
> the F equivalent of 70 is, but it's a 70 degree 'stat. These were test
> drives of five miles or so, not hard driving. Both of these readings
> with the IR thermometer were consistent with previous readings done with
> liquid thermometer in the radiator tank. 190 on the MGB gauge is directly
> on the right leg of N, and 70 degrees of the IR, liquid thermometer and
> ether-bulb temp gauge all agreed.
> On hot days the rad temp will be higher. The 'stat opens at its rated
> temp, give or take a few degrees, but 200 seems excessive to me if all
> you did for the test was warm it in the driveway or drive gently around
> town.
> Do you know if the antifreeze has been changed every few years? The
> AF chemistry does not wear out but corrosion inhibiters do weaken, and
> ofttimes it is sediment from corrosion that blocks passages.
> Bob
>
> On Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:18:04 -0500 "Eugene Balinski" <eugeneb@nni.com>
> writes:
>> All,
>>
>> The (relatively) mild weather here in the north east has
>> me starting to think about getting the car ready for the
>> spring.
>>
>> Late last summer and in to the fall, I was chasing an
>> overheating problem that was either caused by or did cause
>> a crack in the head around the #2 spark plug.
>>
>> In any event, the new head is on along with new water
>> pump, hoses, and 160 degree thermostat. The radiator
>> remained as it seemed to be flowing OK.
>>
>> My question to the group is: how hot should my 1980
>> MGB be ? During a cool day (40's), I ran the car until it
>> warmed up and the fan started to cycle. I received one of
>> the Moss IR hand held thermometers for Christmas, and used
>> it to measured the temp of the top of the radiator. The
>> radiator was 200 degrees +/- near where the water enters.
>> Is this normal with a 160 degree thermostat ?
>>
>> Gene
>>
>> 80 B
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