[Spridgets] Heater Box Clips

[Dean Hedin]

I really think that the running temp should be pretty close (within 5-10F) 
to what thermostat temp you have installed.  

If you are running at 212F and you have a good 180F thermostat then
it means that your cooling system is marginal and can't keep up.
This is assuming your temp guage is reading correctly.

I used to think along those same lines you guys indicate.
A long time ago I put a 160F thermostat in in a vain attempt to bring that 
"over 200F" temp down.  It didn't make much of a difference.

After I had the radiator cleaned out last year guess what?
It now goes up to 165F and it holds steady!  Imagine that.  
Epiphany.

Now I have to go back in there and put a 180F thermostat back in.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Billy Zoom" <billyzoom at billyzoom.com>
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Heater Box Clips


> Thank you. You'll probably get flamed for saying that, but it needs to be
> said. I have a friend who brags that with his custom radiator, his engine
> never runs over 140 degrees. Of course he blames poor parts quality when his
> engines keep wearing out after 25K miles.
> BZ
>> People tend to freak out about the temperature they run their spridget at,
>> and every so often this comes up.  Keep in mind that the optimum temperature
>> is actually somewhere above 212 degrees, or 100 c.  The cooling system is
>> pressurized, and anti-freeze/coolant is added to raise the boiling point
>> sufficiently to make opperation at temperatures between 200 and 220
>> possible.  What you need to avoid is temperatures above about 230 degrees,
>> as this will prompt the radiator cap to release pressure.  Loss of coolant
>> is a much bigger concern than the slightly elevated opperating temperatures.