The temperture gauge on my 1989 Georgie Boy 460 Ford reads 220 degrees. Is that high? That is on a newly rebuilt motor but the same temp. as it was on the old motor before it blew up. I thought that was propably normal but having second thoughts now. I would try to find a way to double check the gauge if I knew an easy way to do it.
Is 220 to high?
220F seems a little to high for a 1989 engine. However a modern engine might see 220 - 240 F and still be in the normal range. Newer cars run much warmer than the older ones.
There should be a easy way to attach a temperature sensor to the hot water line someplace, and then run that sensor wire out of the engine bay to the passenger compartment. I know that indoor/outdoor thermostats are not rated to be above 150F, and will just read HI instead of 125F. You might check on a oven thermometer that has a remote sensor.
It might even have a alarm that will chime when it reaches a normal cooking temp, like 350F, and you might be able to set that as low as say 235F, so it will chime when the temperature is getting out of hand, you can slow, or shift to a lower gear or something.
Did they put in a new thermostat? A defective thermostat will only open about 50%, and might cause a engine to run to hot.
I always run a coolant filter on my motorhome, and when it was new, the first filter plugged in about a year, I opened it up to find a sandy like substance in it. Now the RV is over 16 years old, and still the cooling system performs correctly, yet I do not have a digital gauge on it, so I don't know the exact temp, only that it reads midpoint between cold and hot.
I do have one of these digital temperature gauges with a temp sensor installed in the pressure port of my transmission. It indicates that I run about 215F trans fluid temp at that point. You can use the same type of temperature gauge, with a readout that says coolant (mine says trans temp) and put the sensor in the water line (they suggest a location for each engine type, it is mounted into the engine block someplace). Then three wires are connected, one to power, one to ground, two to the sender, and perhaps one more to dim the light when you turn on the headlights, so it will not be as bright at night. It is a really simple install.
220 isn't too high but it's a bit abnormal for it to constantly run at that level.
Maybe you need to clean out the radiator. BTW modern vehicles run as high as 226 or so but only when working hard.
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4, 6 speed Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
H0NDA eu2000i
I think a new thermostat and an thorough radiator cleaning is necessary, that is IF and it is a big if the temp gauge/sender is even close to being accurate.
David Just rolling along enjoying life w/F53 Southwind towing a 87 Samurai or 01 Grand Vitara looking to golf or fish Simply Despicable Any errors are a result of CRS.
For flat ground, 55 MPH, thats a little high. I agree, check the actual temp or shotgun it and replace the thermostat and sending unit (cheap). My bet is you need a new radiator.
More than likely, there is a galley plug somewhere in the cylinder heads or intake manifold, that serves no purpose. That would allow a second temp gauge to be installed, and could be either electric or mechanical, to verify the OEM gauges accuracy.
If that rebuilt engine had the cylinders bored out, (.010-.060 is common), the cylinder walls will be thinner, and will pass additional heat to the coolant, so ALL cooling system components need to be up to snuff. Don't cheap out and have the radiator cleaned and rodded out. Just buy a new one. They are far more efficient at transfering heat. Also check thermostat, radiator cap, pressure test the cooling system, check engine ignition timing, and the fan clutch. Also, check with salvage yards around town. My 1984 Pace Arrow (on a GM chassis), equipped with a 454, had a 5 blade fan from the factory. I located a 9 blade OEM fan, that once installed, sounded like a B-52 when it engaged, and it drew a tremendous amount of air through the radiator. And lastly, make certain that the path of the incoming air, has no way to spill out around the sides of the radiator. Fabricating an air dam will add significanty to the cooling system efficiency.
See ya out there!!
Hooliville member #128
Gary & Lynne.
'04 Dolphin 5320 WH-22 370W Solar
22' Mighty Mover Trailer, 60W. Solar.
Sand Sprite 4. 2.3L EFI sand buggy
'04 Polaris Predator
'84 Jeep CJ.
2011 Black Lab "Lucy" for both of us
yellowdog101 wrote: The temperture gauge on my 1989 Georgie Boy 460 Ford reads 220 degrees. Is that high? That is on a newly rebuilt motor but the same temp. as it was on the old motor before it blew up. I thought that was propably normal but having second thoughts now. I would try to find a way to double check the gauge if I knew an easy way to do it.
Is 220 to high?
Yes thats two high.If everything is in order it should run right on stat to +10 degrees.so 205 MAX
BUT!!! gauges can easily be out 10-15 degrees.If the vehicle after coming to a stop when at full temp does not cause the rad cap to release and blow into the overflow your probable not overheating at all
toolman1 wrote: More than likely, there is a galley plug somewhere in the cylinder heads or intake manifold, that serves no purpose. That would allow a second temp gauge to be installed, and could be either electric or mechanical, to verify the OEM gauges accuracy.
If that rebuilt engine had the cylinders bored out, (.010-.060 is common), the cylinder walls will be thinner, and will pass additional heat to the coolant, so ALL cooling system components need to be up to snuff. Don't cheap out and have the radiator cleaned and rodded out. Just buy a new one. They are far more efficient at transfering heat. Also check thermostat, radiator cap, pressure test the cooling system, check engine ignition timing, and the fan clutch. Also, check with salvage yards around town. My 1984 Pace Arrow (on a GM chassis), equipped with a 454, had a 5 blade fan from the factory. I located a 9 blade OEM fan, that once installed, sounded like a B-52 when it engaged, and it drew a tremendous amount of air through the radiator. And lastly, make certain that the path of the incoming air, has no way to spill out around the sides of the radiator. Fabricating an air dam will add significanty to the cooling system efficiency.
I owned a machine shop for years and would NEVER bore a 460 .060
.040 max
yellowdog101 wrote: The temperture gauge on my 1989 Georgie Boy 460 Ford reads 220 degrees. Is that high? That is on a newly rebuilt motor but the same temp. as it was on the old motor before it blew up. I thought that was propably normal but having second thoughts now. I would try to find a way to double check the gauge if I knew an easy way to do it.
Is 220 to high?
Well let’s start with the cheap and easy stuff first. Check what the real temp is at the radiator with a thermometer. A non-contact thermometer is a great tool to have. If the temp is high at the radiator change the thermostat with a good high flow one. Like a Mr. Gasket #4365 195degree thermostat.
You said it had just been rebuilt. Did you put new hoses on? You said it was doing this before? Check the fan clutch? Check that there are no air leaks in front of the radiator and all the air coming in the grill must go through the radiator. Is the fan shroud installed properly?
Let me know what you find.
Bill
2003 BOUNDER 38N
5.9 CUMMINS 300 HP
ALLISON 3000MH TRANSMISHION
TOWING HONDA CIVIC ON ACMEY TOW DOLLEY
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