Mike,
Several old and very wise Tiger "experts" had this advice for me when I was
new to the Tiger. "Take you eyes off the temp. gauge and if it is not
"puking" it is not overheating. My gauge was usually pegged to the
"right", yet the expansion tank did'nt overflow. "Put some tape over the
gauge and keep your eyes on the road" seemed to be the Mantra. I guess
when I finally get 'ol #80 back together, I will calibrate the gauge and
replace the sending unit I purchased with one that actually works.
Tim
B9470080
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> From: Mike Sutter <mjsutter@cts.com>
> To: tigers@autox.team.net
> Subject: Temperature Gauges
> Date: Thursday, June 10, 1999 12:33 PM
>
> Listers,
>
> A while back, I had the opportunity to participate in a short rallye
> organized by an assoc. of British car clubs in San Diego. I had my car
> there, and fellow listers Bob Palmer and Allan Connell had their cars
there
> as well. On a particular uphill section of the rallye I noticed a
> significant increase in water temp, about 20 degrees F, from a gauge
> indicated 195 up to just under 225 degrees F. After the rallye I asked
both
> Bob and Allan what water temp. their cars had run on that particular
> section. Much to my dismay they both said around 200 dgrees F. With this
> information in hand and knowing that my car should be running a
comparable
> temp. I set out to find my problem.
>
> I posted the list and started asking about water pumps and radiator
specs.
> My engine and four core radiator were brand new and I knew my timing and
> advance curve was right so I figured it was either the pump, fan or
> radiator core type that was the culprit. Bob Palmer was kind enough to
> bring his car over so I could measure his water pump, check out his
> radiator and pick his brain about the Tiger cooling system in general. I
> explained my cooling system predicament and described to him my
thermostat
> changes and other mods including the installation of a brand new VDO
sender
> and gauge. After about an hour of trading information he suggested
checking
> the actual operating temperature of the engine with a thermocouple would
be
> a good place to start.
>
> I finally got around to borrowing Allan Connells thermocouple today, and
> guess what? The gauge is off by about 20 degrees. It registers too hot!
> before I started testing the car I ground truthed the thermocouple on the
> stove and found it to be within 2 degrees at boiling. I'm about 300'
above
> sea level, whatever thats worth.
>
> The next course of action will be to determine if the gauge and sender
are
> compatable. I didn't even think to ask that question when the guy at the
> speed shop slid them across the counter together when I bought them.
>
> So, to all of you out there in Tiger land who think you may have a big
> overheating problem, before you "fix" anything find out if you really do
> have a problem.
>
> Thanks to Bob P. for the brains and thanks to Allan C. for the tools.
>
>
>
> Mike
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