Normal Engine Temperature?

[Noah]

I have the opposite problem on my 2.2 (without external cooler). It runs too cool. Very hard to get it up to 180F. Case has bypass modification, piston squirters, and a later four-rib pump. Unless I really thrash it (which is impossible in the around-town driving I do), it wants to run at around 160F, and I get the white milkshake under the oil cap because it's not getting up to temp. Not sure what to do.

[Haasman]

Intersting Noah ... so what weight oil? You are sure of your engine temp? ... thinking of sending unit verification. Mixture? Are you running carbs or fuel injection? Color of your exhaust? Engine Timing?

[66S]

My 2.5 SS motor runs 180 oil temp with a 993 filter on the motor instead of an oil cooler, the front cooler thermostat doesn’t open, even on the track, I’ve only seen it open when the car was idling in place. I have an early crank pulley and a late 70s fan with a smaller pulley that steps up the fan speed. 10-1 CR, mod S cams, 46 PMO carbs, 12.8 AFR at full throttle, pump gas. A true air cooled motor.

[Noah]

Intersting Noah ... so what weight oil? You are sure of your engine temp? ... thinking of sending unit verification. Mixture? Are you running carbs or fuel injection? Color of your exhaust? Engine Timing?

Yeah, verified engine temp with an IR thermometer. It's real. Running Amsoil 20-50 synthetic. Weber 40's rebuilt by our own Paul Abbott. Car runs great. I think the problem is I live in West LA and ambient temps here are usually in the high 60's/low 70's, and I mainly drive the car around town. It just doesn't get up above 160F in these conditions. Which is not great, but maybe normal under the circumstances?

[Chuck Miller]

Noah,

If you live in the West L.A. area you are close to the Santa Monica mountains with all the wonderful canyons. If you take your car up in the hills in the daytime and keep the RPM over 4000, I'm sure you will see more 'normal' temps ....

Please let us know...

Cheers,
cm

[Richy]

Noah ,
I experienced the same thing , my thermostat was opening too early , around 160 degrees , different thermostat , engine temp is normal .

[Nickelplated5s]

I have the opposite problem on my 2.2 (without external cooler). It runs too cool. Very hard to get it up to 180F. Case has bypass modification, piston squirters, and a later four-rib pump. Unless I really thrash it (which is impossible in the around-town driving I do), it wants to run at around 160F, and I get the white milkshake under the oil cap because it's not getting up to temp. Not sure what to do.

I'm running the same setup and I see 180 to 210. My next step is to get an infrared gun to verify my gauge is correct. Higher in this thread tells where to take the temp. As an aside my oil level shows low when cold but then comes up with temp. What does your show?

[Noah]

Noah ,
I experienced the same thing , my thermostat was opening too early , around 160 degrees , different thermostat , engine temp is normal .

That's very interesting...it's funny, in all my years around air-cooled 911's I have never dealt with a thermostat problem. Oddly had not really crossed my mind. I will investigate -- maybe this is the problem.

[Haasman]

I take oil temperature at the temperature sending unit next to the fan. If open, also take temp of the top the thermostat. I also frequently check the of the loop cooler temp, at right front fender area.

I use a handheld non-contact heat laser temperature gun. All over the internet for less than $20. Oh and I double-checked periodically. They been known to not always be accurate.