Jason
Oh boy are there alot of different opinions on this one. Modern engines are
actually designed to run between 240 and 260 degrees. They do this without
boiling over by running at higher coolant pressures, and precise
antifreeze/water ratios in the neighborhood of three parts coolant to two
parts water. When our LBC's were designed, oil was not as stable, machining
was not as precise, gasket technology wasn't as good, and hoses were made
from natural rubber instead of reinforced synthetic bits.
I was once told that our LCB's run between 100 and 110 degrees above the
ambient temperature. So if it is 100 degrees outside, the car will run
between 200 and 210 degrees. With a rebuilt engine, modern headgasket,
uprated head studs, reinforced hoses, and a 16 lb cap, there is no reason
that our cars would have any problem even up to 230-240 degrees. The
problems arrise if the cooling system looses water, causing engine
temperatures to skyrocket.
Just opinion, mind you.
David Riker
74 Midget
78 Midget
63 Falcon
----- Original Message -----
From: Jason Burden <jayburden@home.com>
To: Sprite <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 05, 1999 3:37 PM
Subject: Temp Reading
> I need a bottom line answer from somebody.. I am having many different
> manuals, books, websites and so on telling me what my car should run at
for
> temp. Its a 1967 Sprite... I live in TN where temp outside is typically
> around 90 or so. I drive on the highway to work about 20 miles and my temp
> gauge regularly goes to 212 and sometimes higher. I have flushed out my
> radiator... new thermostat (165) , new hoses.. water pump. The carbs have
> been tuned... everything I could think of and more has been changed and or
> tuned. Am I at a comfortable temp? The car runs fine, doesn't boil over
with
> coolant. Or maybe I am just being worried about nothing? Any ideas?
>
> (Had a bad time with a Spitfire.. worried i might be in the same boat with
> this one)
>
> Jason
>
> 67 Sprite
>
> jayburden@home.com
>
>
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