I hope this is the right place to post. I lurk and search but a lot of the posts are over 1-2yrs old. My 1950 Chrysler has the spitfire 6 in it and the Radiator has been flushed some time ago by the previous owner. I noticed after purchasing it that it runs hot (or so I think). It runs hot at Idle and at stops. Upon cruising it does cool down but only to about 160. The highest its been is about 180-200 and the gauge goes to 210. Any suggestions on where/what to check first? I know there are no leaks in the radiator and because of its age and no overflow it does boil over and out the hose to the ground which is normal. Do these cars tend to run that temperature?
I would think that 180 would be about right. If it doesn't cool when not moving it could be a fan or air flow problem.
Is there a fan shroud? Once you are up to normal running temp, stops and anything below 30mph will make the temp spike. Mechanical fans run slowest when they need to cool the most. You may need to think about a electric fan to help when in traffic or at stops. Wanted: 1937 Nash Coupe
You do know that with a top tank radiator you leave room for expansion by not filling it all the way. I would fill the radiator maybe an inch above the tubes and see if pukes from that level. 180 sounds good to me, what pressure cap are you running?
Sounds like normal temps in Texas this time of year. I would put a new thermostat in it for starters. Not knowing anything about the previous history, that is a cheap easy place to start. I would put a 180 in it, this would allow for more time the water is in the radiator and a better chance for it to cool. If you see that it still tends to creep up at an idle but not moving down the road you might want to try another fan to get more air moving.
An over heating issue is when the radiator boils over and water and steam come spewing out. I personally think 180* is the ideal operating temp. Running too cool...160* can be harmful to an engine. IMHO
I am not sure what the radiator cap is right now. I can start there and replace it but I'm not sure what the PSI should be for the cap before replacing it? (More research for me) I don't fill the radiator all the way to allow for expansion. Sorry about the ***le. It is not "overheating" in the sense that I am spewing steam or water out of the top of the radiator at all. More so, just the temp gauge appearing to be running warm. I drove it to a local cruise night about 10 min away from home and it ran pretty warm IMO but again this is the 1st time i've owned a car this old. So it may be normal and I just over-reacted?
It does not sound like it is running hot at all to me. You might get a infared thermometer and check to see what it really is running.
4 psi. You're over-reacting. 180 is low operating temp., 200 would be absolutely acceptable. Plus, are you SURE the temp gauge is reflecting accurate temps?? I know you're using the factory temp gauge as a guide, and it's 64 years old. It's there for a comparison, as in, this car wasn't this temp yesterday, maybe I should check; not, OMG, it's 200 degrees!! Cosmo
200 does seem a little high and thats if the gauge is accurate. highly unlikely if it is the original gauge. try new cap and new thermostat maybe a little water wetter if you want. a pusher fan mounted in front of the radiator with the thermostat on the fan to come on at 185 should cure the city problem
running at 180*F is normal, good 160* too low if you ask me 200*F I would not worry about especially if it only gets that warm when at stops sounds like system is operating as designed
get a new cap and water wetter if you are really worried and there are no faults in your system, it'll be cheaper and easier than replacing parts on a working system
After my recent experience w my Merc SAR rig -- I would say "Take the radiator out and have it professionaly rodded and cleaned!" problem solved
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