A couple of questions
Discussion
Hi
Your thoughts please on one question & some onfo on another.
I had a new cam / top end rebuild done earlier this year, also had the pre cats taken out & the car goes like a train (300bhp on the rolling road with nearly 320lb of tourque - which is nice
) Since then its been running a little cooler than before which also made life much more comfortable inside the car - we actually get cool air coming through at last.
Being a big tart Ive just bought a private plate & had a smaller one made for the front of the car. As a result in the recent cold weather it tends not to get above 70 degrees, it used to run at 90. Is there a chance I could be damaging the engine running it at this sort of temp?
If so, the easy solution would be to put a standard size plate on the front over winter.
Second question...does anyone know the referance number of the Cibie fog lights for the Griff? One of mine has been smashed to buggery by a stone & I want to replace it. One of our locals has one for sale but it doesnt quite match the ones on my car, same size but just looks slightly different.
Where from & how much basically?? Happy to buy a pair if required.
Thanks in advance
Nick
Your thoughts please on one question & some onfo on another.
I had a new cam / top end rebuild done earlier this year, also had the pre cats taken out & the car goes like a train (300bhp on the rolling road with nearly 320lb of tourque - which is nice
) Since then its been running a little cooler than before which also made life much more comfortable inside the car - we actually get cool air coming through at last.Being a big tart Ive just bought a private plate & had a smaller one made for the front of the car. As a result in the recent cold weather it tends not to get above 70 degrees, it used to run at 90. Is there a chance I could be damaging the engine running it at this sort of temp?
If so, the easy solution would be to put a standard size plate on the front over winter.
Second question...does anyone know the referance number of the Cibie fog lights for the Griff? One of mine has been smashed to buggery by a stone & I want to replace it. One of our locals has one for sale but it doesnt quite match the ones on my car, same size but just looks slightly different.
Where from & how much basically?? Happy to buy a pair if required.
Thanks in advance
Nick
I run a standard plate to stop mine running too cool. In reality the stat will make sure the system isn't running too cold, but certainly at this time of year i run standard size. Only if I am on the continent in hot conditions do I bother with a little plate, and then it seems to make little difference.
As for the lamps, I hav found them cheaper before, but they have gone out of business. I just bought a new pair for £128 from these guys . . .
They are ... 082348: Cibie 5¾" Main Beam Replacement lamp Unit 64.85
excellent service and very helpful price including delivery
As for the lamps, I hav found them cheaper before, but they have gone out of business. I just bought a new pair for £128 from these guys . . .
They are ... 082348: Cibie 5¾" Main Beam Replacement lamp Unit 64.85
excellent service and very helpful price including delivery
Hi Nic
running very cold may push the ecu into its safe map and will play havoc with your mpg, and running on the thermostat restricts waterflow around yer vitals even when pushing. all of which is not good. will also generate more power but will increase wear. the very cold weather will make it worse, tho sounds on the ok side atm.
90 is the ideal winter or summer as it is in your eurobox.
just cover up a section of the rad like we all used to on cortinas and escorts (showing my age here) restricted airflow will bring in the cooling system in correctly and make sure all runs sweetly.
a full size plate will help abit, but air will still get round.
use something waterproof and cover up the bottom third of the rad if poss.
cheers mate
see you soon.
happy new year!
running very cold may push the ecu into its safe map and will play havoc with your mpg, and running on the thermostat restricts waterflow around yer vitals even when pushing. all of which is not good. will also generate more power but will increase wear. the very cold weather will make it worse, tho sounds on the ok side atm.
90 is the ideal winter or summer as it is in your eurobox.
just cover up a section of the rad like we all used to on cortinas and escorts (showing my age here) restricted airflow will bring in the cooling system in correctly and make sure all runs sweetly.
a full size plate will help abit, but air will still get round.
use something waterproof and cover up the bottom third of the rad if poss.
cheers mate
see you soon.
happy new year!
Hi Nick 
How`s the `mans flu`!
I would not worry to much about the engine running cooler by 20c. The theory is the hotter an engine runs the more efficient it is, hence the pressurised system used on all modern cars. Yes you may use slightly more fuel, but who worries about fuel consumption on a 5.0ltr V8 when you are enjoying yourself!
As you know, I have mounted my number plate on the front edge of the nose cone & I have not had any issues with the running of the car in cold or even freezing weather, mind you that may be something to do with my right foot having two positions, on or off
The other benefit of the cooler running is a slight reduction in the internal cylinder temperatures so the air fuel mix remains dense therefore yealding more horsepower
Bodders
How`s the `mans flu`!
I would not worry to much about the engine running cooler by 20c. The theory is the hotter an engine runs the more efficient it is, hence the pressurised system used on all modern cars. Yes you may use slightly more fuel, but who worries about fuel consumption on a 5.0ltr V8 when you are enjoying yourself!
As you know, I have mounted my number plate on the front edge of the nose cone & I have not had any issues with the running of the car in cold or even freezing weather, mind you that may be something to do with my right foot having two positions, on or off
The other benefit of the cooler running is a slight reduction in the internal cylinder temperatures so the air fuel mix remains dense therefore yealding more horsepower
Bodders
On running cooler, I absolutely agree with Andy on this. If you're running it too cold, the stat doesn't open, the coolant doesn't flow round the engine and it never reaches optimum running temp. Causing damage internally.
There has been a trend for reducing number plate sizes, stick on ones etc, and then changing the stat for a 74 instead of 82 . . .
Simply in my experience, if your Griffith runs too hot with a standard plate and 82 degree stat whilst running, then you have an issue with your gauge or your system.
If it runs too hot in standing traffic, then reducing the sie of the plate will make little difference, and a 74 stat will increase the amount of time you have before it goes over the top.
My engine is not standard, having been completely re-built with revised cam and induction. It puts out more power than standard, which is directly related to the heat the engine produces.
At Le Mans last year, in 38 degree heat, sitting in traffic with a standard 82 degree stat, full size number plate, standard radiator and it didn't overheat enough to make me worry, not past 95 degree for example . . .
I think a lot of the smaller pates, lower stats are quick fixes for more fundamental issues with the coolant system, masking other issues.
Each car is different, of course, but a well maintained cooling system has always been enough for mine . . . The only time it has properly overheated I was stuck in London traffic, and it hit 110, the reason was a blon fan fuse, therefore reduced to one fan in the heat of August, in heavy non moving traffic, and only then did it reach unacceptable levels . . .
There has been a trend for reducing number plate sizes, stick on ones etc, and then changing the stat for a 74 instead of 82 . . .
Simply in my experience, if your Griffith runs too hot with a standard plate and 82 degree stat whilst running, then you have an issue with your gauge or your system.
If it runs too hot in standing traffic, then reducing the sie of the plate will make little difference, and a 74 stat will increase the amount of time you have before it goes over the top.
My engine is not standard, having been completely re-built with revised cam and induction. It puts out more power than standard, which is directly related to the heat the engine produces.
At Le Mans last year, in 38 degree heat, sitting in traffic with a standard 82 degree stat, full size number plate, standard radiator and it didn't overheat enough to make me worry, not past 95 degree for example . . .
I think a lot of the smaller pates, lower stats are quick fixes for more fundamental issues with the coolant system, masking other issues.
Each car is different, of course, but a well maintained cooling system has always been enough for mine . . . The only time it has properly overheated I was stuck in London traffic, and it hit 110, the reason was a blon fan fuse, therefore reduced to one fan in the heat of August, in heavy non moving traffic, and only then did it reach unacceptable levels . . .
Cheers for the replies folks
My guage is a little iffy, but I have a digital one in the glove box & thats the one we rely on.
The car never ran hot, I think I was in the same Le Mans traffic jam & it behaved really well. After the rebuild it was a little cooler but I was happy with that, its only since I put the smaller plate on its made such a difference - mind you the air temp has also been bloody cold the last few times Ive been put so my big concern is am I damaging the engine.
Of course the chance to drive the bloody thing would be nice at the moment...man flu anyone??
Lights are sorted now, thanks to Lazyitus - good to chat again mate
Nick
My guage is a little iffy, but I have a digital one in the glove box & thats the one we rely on.
The car never ran hot, I think I was in the same Le Mans traffic jam & it behaved really well. After the rebuild it was a little cooler but I was happy with that, its only since I put the smaller plate on its made such a difference - mind you the air temp has also been bloody cold the last few times Ive been put so my big concern is am I damaging the engine.
Of course the chance to drive the bloody thing would be nice at the moment...man flu anyone??
Lights are sorted now, thanks to Lazyitus - good to chat again mate
Nick
spend said:
Guillotine said:
... and running on the thermostat restricts waterflow around yer vitals even when pushing. all of which is not good...
Which is why the later PRVT setup that PeteH and ruaricoles have installed should be so interesting?Dave
Cheers again guys
I fanally managed to climb out of my flu infested pit yesterday & went for a drive - temp was steady at approx 80 deg & the weather was quite mild so it looks like it was the very cold pre Christmas weather that kept it so low recently.
I'll blank off part of the rad as suggested if it gets really cold again.
Happy new year all
Nick
I fanally managed to climb out of my flu infested pit yesterday & went for a drive - temp was steady at approx 80 deg & the weather was quite mild so it looks like it was the very cold pre Christmas weather that kept it so low recently.
I'll blank off part of the rad as suggested if it gets really cold again.
Happy new year all
Nick
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