water temp question
#2520835
07/12/18 12:51 AM
07/12/18 12:51 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 314 Medina, OH
dart440_72
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 314
Medina, OH
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Seeing a lot of cooling questions lately since we have having hotter weather throughout the country. My question is what water temp do you feel comfortable with driving your car? When do you start getting nervous and shut it down?
72 Dart 500" low deck Indy SR heads. 10.40 @129 best so far
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Re: water temp question
[Re: dart440_72]
#2520863
07/12/18 01:54 AM
07/12/18 01:54 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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I'd want no less than 180/185, not sure on an upper limit but here is a BTT for ya.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: water temp question
[Re: dart440_72]
#2520865
07/12/18 01:57 AM
07/12/18 01:57 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,319 Puyallup, WA
StealthWedge67
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,319
Puyallup, WA
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I start mitigating the situation if it gets much over 200, which my car rarely does. I’d pull over and shut it down once I feel it running differently than normal. Not sure where that would be, but probably around 225.
LemonWedge - Street heavy / Strip ready - 11.07 @ 120
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Re: water temp question
[Re: dart440_72]
#2520896
07/12/18 05:05 AM
07/12/18 05:05 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228
Bend,OR USA
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I get worried on my old pump gas street muscle cars over 230 F with anti freeze and a 14 Lb. pressure cap. I have seen 240 F on my S/P bracket car on the return road this summer, it does not have a radiator either so keep that in mind, it runs on E85 and has two very small oil coolers with a electric water pump to circulate the coolant for the cooling system, it was that way when I got it You need to know that a lot of after market water temps gauges aren't real accurate, I use a infra red temp gun to verify all the ones I use now after finding out that one of my old high dollar Autometer mechanical race water temp gauge was off 40 F when warmed up It would read 140 F and the coolant circulating in the radiator was actually under 100 F
Last edited by Cab_Burge; 07/12/18 05:08 AM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: water temp question
[Re: dart440_72]
#2520938
07/12/18 10:38 AM
07/12/18 10:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,374 Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,374
Marion, South Carolina [><]
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I start looking to cool it down if it gets 230°+. 210° on the highway running 3500+ rpm isn't uncommon for my car. It cools down the slower I go usually, unless I'm stuck in stop and go for a while. Probably needs more water pump, but the $600 one from Meziere is my only option now. Have a BIG radiator and a fan that moves a LOT of air on it.
I got it up to 255° one time when I first put the hemi in the car...didn't hurt a thing.
CHIP '70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60 '69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60 '71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75 '73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75 '90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt '06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
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Re: water temp question
[Re: dart440_72]
#2520946
07/12/18 10:50 AM
07/12/18 10:50 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 314 Medina, OH
dart440_72
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 314
Medina, OH
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Thanks for all the updates. Mine was getting up to 210 and I would shut it down. I got really nervous when I saw it. I guess I'm not used to it with this car. It's always run hot and that's why I limit the street driving. I'll have to monitor it more closely.
72 Dart 500" low deck Indy SR heads. 10.40 @129 best so far
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Re: water temp question
[Re: dart440_72]
#2520957
07/12/18 11:22 AM
07/12/18 11:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,028 Tulsa OK
Bad340fish
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,028
Tulsa OK
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220-230 is the critcal point for me but it is seldom a problem.
On the track I try to hit the burnout box at 135-140. Thats an easy temp for me to get hit consistently.
68 Barracuda Formula S 340
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Re: water temp question
[Re: dart440_72]
#2521093
07/12/18 04:21 PM
07/12/18 04:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457 Washington
madscientist
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
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Anything over 200 tells me you have a cooling issue or a mechanical problem. I prefer 180-185 for pump gas performance stuff because it helps with detonation.
These aren't emissions controlled junk. Keep the temp down below 200.
Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
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Re: water temp question
[Re: dart440_72]
#2521133
07/12/18 06:26 PM
07/12/18 06:26 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,209 New York
polyspheric
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,209
New York
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Careful A>B testing may show you a point where you have knock entirely due to water temp. Sometimes it's easier to upgrade the cooling system than re-tune the engine.
Boffin Emeritus
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