What temps best !

What temps best !

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Discussion

mild2wild

Original Poster:

122 posts

273 months

Tuesday 13th August 2002
quotequote all
Hi All...What is the ideal temp for a V8 wedge to run at, I've just fitted a 82 deg thermostat and it runs dead on 90 deg, before with the old stat it ran at 100+. With a 74 deg stat it runs at about 80 deg...so what would be the ideal temp for best performance to run at, any ideas ?

350matt

3,740 posts

280 months

Tuesday 13th August 2002
quotequote all
You might want to check your temperature gauge as they aren't the most accurate devices, on mine there's a couple of little resistors wired in series with the sensor which adjust the reading. I've found on my wedge with an 82°C stat the temp gauge says 82°.
Typically most engines run best with around 85°C water/ block temp while keeping the induction air as cold as possible.
Engines that are run at higher temps are mainly to reduce the radiator size.

Matt

jmorgan

36,010 posts

285 months

Tuesday 13th August 2002
quotequote all
Interestingly whilst having a service last the tell tales showed 110 reched at the core plugs but just over 90 was the hottest I thought it got on the gauge. Overide swith now fitted.

danny hoffman

1,617 posts

263 months

Tuesday 13th August 2002
quotequote all
My 350 sits at 80 degrees since fitting a 3 row core rad. Used to sit at 90 beforehand. I haven't check what thermostat is fitted.

Danny

mild2wild

Original Poster:

122 posts

273 months

Tuesday 13th August 2002
quotequote all
Back to my original question...at what temp does the engine have the best performance....Steve (The font of all wedge knowledge)Heath, you must know.

wedg1e

26,805 posts

266 months

Tuesday 13th August 2002
quotequote all
My 390 generally runs at 88-90 with an 88 degree stat. I bought an 82 to play with but haven't got around to doing so. I imagine it's fair to say that Rover's intended operating temperature would be a safe bet; it's just a matter of achieving stable running!

Ian

GreenV8S

30,210 posts

285 months

Wednesday 14th August 2002
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quote:

Back to my original question...at what temp does the engine have the best performance



If absolute power is the only thing that matters to you, the colder the better. Most people are quite interested in engine protection/durability and economy, though. The hotter the engine is (within reason) the better economy you will get. But excessive heat (typically, anything over 100 deg would be considered excessive) also introduces the danger of hot spots causing engine damage, and raises mechanical stresses (through thermal expansion) that increase the danger of catastrophic failure.

mild2wild

Original Poster:

122 posts

273 months

Wednesday 14th August 2002
quotequote all
Thanks Peter thats what I needed to know

bobfrance

1,323 posts

268 months

Wednesday 14th August 2002
quotequote all
Hmmm. Mine seems to sit at about 100deg all the time.
I fitted a new radiator, fan & thermal switch when I bought it about 3 months ago.

BTW the thermal switch was supplied by HHC so I expect it to be correct.

My first thoughts are to check it with a properly calibrated thermomiter.

Any thoughts on what's could cause what is almost a spanking new & watertight cooling system to run that little bit too hot. ?

bobfrance

1,323 posts

268 months

Wednesday 14th August 2002
quotequote all
Also has anyone seen the electric waterpump "boosters " supplied by www.mawsolutions.com ?

It appears they can be fitted with a timer so they will continue to pump water around the engine (the fan's on a timer too)for a while after the engine is switched off, preventing hotspots and aiding cooling.
They are also supposed to boost the cooling potential of the cooling system since the coolant will be flowing faster.

Apparently they're used on older engines & cars used in desert conditions.

Anybody got any thoughts on them?


>> Edited by bobfrance on Wednesday 14th August 20:15

danny hoffman

1,617 posts

263 months

Wednesday 14th August 2002
quotequote all
Steve - doesn't the 520 have an electric water pump?

Danny

GreenV8S

30,210 posts

285 months

Wednesday 14th August 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Also has anyone seen the electric waterpump "boosters " supplied by www.mawsolutions.com ?

It appears they can be fitted with a timer so they will continue to pump water around the engine (the fan's on a timer too)for a while after the engine is switched off, preventing hotspots and aiding cooling.
They are also supposed to boost the cooling potential of the cooling system since the coolant will be flowing faster.

Apparently they're used on older engines & cars used in desert conditions.

Anybody got any thoughts on them?


>> Edited by bobfrance on Wednesday 14th August 20:15



They don't have anything like the flow rate needed to replace the primary water pump in a V8, but as a run-on pump (in parallel with the existing pump) they could help reduce heat soak, I suppose.

Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

shpub

8,507 posts

273 months

Friday 16th August 2002
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quote:

Steve - doesn't the 520 have an electric water pump?

Danny



No - I am looking into it but flow rate is a bit of an issue and I think I can spare 1 or 2 BHP to run the water pump. I also need to run this by John Eales but I think he will give me one of his "don't be silly but at least you've asked the question first" looks....

Steve