Engine Temp?
#1
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What is the normal operating range for an 88 3.2? This houston heat seems to be doing a number on my street car. In stop and go traffic with the A/C on, it is getting to 210 pretty quick. Is this too hot? will it hurt the engine? Thanks in advance.
#2
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210 is not a problem at all. 220 is okay, although it should get your attention. 230 had better have a good explanation. 240 is worrisome. 250 means pull over and cool down.
Do you have a numeric gauge, or are you approximating from the lines?
Do you have a numeric gauge, or are you approximating from the lines?
#3
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My '88 3.2 usually runs right in the middle between the 1st and 2nd lines on 85 degree days. On a really hot day (99+) it got up to the 2nd line but never went above it.
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Originally Posted by JackOlsen
210 is not a problem at all. 220 is okay, although it should get your attention. 230 had better have a good explanation. 240 is worrisome. 250 means pull over and cool down.
Do you have a numeric gauge, or are you approximating from the lines?
Do you have a numeric gauge, or are you approximating from the lines?
#6
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I always enjoy the engine temp discusions as I tend to learn a lot. When i had the old guage I would barely be above the first line while running ( 20w50 kendall racing ) . I put in a numberd guage with a new sender at the beginning of the summer. On routine driving I can NEVER get to 180. Kind of funny since I need to get it there to check the oil level :-) . I have a 78sc with a trombone cooler in front and I do live in Canada. Most days are between 70 and 80 in the summer with a few days in the 90 -100 range. Even on the hotter days it will only get to 180 or above if I am in stop and go are really opening it up on the highway and making the engine work. I am wondering after reading all these posts if my guage is a little out of calibration, or if it is just normal for my enviroment.
#7
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Iceman, you might want to confirm that you have the earlier temp sender instead of the later one. The later sender (which was made for the non-numeric gauge) will give false low readings when paired with a numeric gauge.
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#8
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My 1984 3.2 used to get quite hot. After first purchasing it, I was stuck in traffic (Dodger Stadium) one a very hot day and watched the guage peg at the top. Pulliing over and shutting down was impossible... Scared the heck out of me.
I switched to Mobil 1 right after that and the temps never make it to the third mark. I did have a few leaks that were discovered due to the changeover, but fixing them was better than the overheating alternative.
I switched to Mobil 1 right after that and the temps never make it to the third mark. I did have a few leaks that were discovered due to the changeover, but fixing them was better than the overheating alternative.
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Does anyone know what temps the non-numerical gagues represents by the lines? In other words, what temp is the 1st line, what temp is the 2nd line and so on...?
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My 1984 guage has numbers printed (very small type) to the very left of the lines. I don't have the car with me to check, but you might want to get a flashlight and take a peek at yours...
Last edited by seanoj; 08-22-2006 at 04:54 PM. Reason: quick trigger
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Posted by Pete a month or 2 ago:
Ian
Edit: I edited the picture & added Jack's numbers for future searchs. And edited again - I didn't check your figures the 1st time Jack.
![](http://members.rennlist.com/imcarthur/tempguage004.jpg)
Ian
Edit: I edited the picture & added Jack's numbers for future searchs. And edited again - I didn't check your figures the 1st time Jack.
Last edited by imcarthur; 08-22-2006 at 08:00 PM.
#12
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Celsius to Fahrenheit
60C = 140F (keep revs below 4000 until it's a little warmer)
90C = 194F (the sweet spot)
120C = 248F (too hot!)
150C = 302F (you're gonna damaged your engine)
60C = 140F (keep revs below 4000 until it's a little warmer)
90C = 194F (the sweet spot)
120C = 248F (too hot!)
150C = 302F (you're gonna damaged your engine)
Last edited by JackOlsen; 08-22-2006 at 07:10 PM.
#13
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Hi Jack
This came up on a discusion a while ago and i really don't know if I have the right sender. I ordered the kit from pelican and although the sender they sent me did not look like my original. ( was way shorter). The new one did not have a circular connector but a blade connector like my old one. I was told the sender i needed has a circular connector on it but I figured pelican should know since they sent it to me !
This came up on a discusion a while ago and i really don't know if I have the right sender. I ordered the kit from pelican and although the sender they sent me did not look like my original. ( was way shorter). The new one did not have a circular connector but a blade connector like my old one. I was told the sender i needed has a circular connector on it but I figured pelican should know since they sent it to me !
#14
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I had an incorrect top temp (I thought it said 180C, when it was 150c). I fixed it in my posting.
Iceman, if you're unable to get your engine above 180 on a 90 degree day with a trombone cooler, then I suspect your readings are incorrect. Have you tried a pyrometer or decals for confirmation?
Iceman, if you're unable to get your engine above 180 on a 90 degree day with a trombone cooler, then I suspect your readings are incorrect. Have you tried a pyrometer or decals for confirmation?