How hot is too hot for a slant six? During the cooler months the needle hardly comes of zero on my mechanical temp. gauge, but today in approx. 90 degree weather with the A/C on in stop and go traffic it would get up to 180 degrees.

Driving around it got down to 140, and later around 110 on the highway.

Should I be concerned?

Thanks,

Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

Indicated temp will vary depending on where the sender is located. 180 is normal and fine. 140 and 110 are low but probably still normal. What's of greater concern is that you don't move off the "0" peg in cooler months. What mods have you done to your cooling system?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

140?!? Damn, you could practically swim in that!

Sounds to me like your thermostat is stuck open if the temp barely budges in the wintertime. You want your motor to get nice and warmed up. I like a 180 thermostat and operating temperature.

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

Thanks for the replies, guys. No mods on the cooling system, but it is a big old truck with lots of air rushing around.

I don't think the thermostat is stuck open. I can hear it when it does open and watch the water flow. I've also heard that an open or missing thermostat can cause overheating as well because the water doesn't have time to effectively dissapate heat.

Glad to have one less thing to worry about,

Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

Hey Joe! Maybe El Bumper del Muerto is blocking flow to your radiator

Where is the sensor for the mechanical gauge? If its on the "hot" side of the engine, it should read AT LEAST what the thermostat is calibrated for- 160, 180, or 195 degrees. Running too cool causes the cylinder walls to wear faster than running warm (believe it or not). I'd be a little concerned if its only showing 110 to 140. Mechanical damage won't start happening until well over 220 degrees, so there's a lot of room where the engine is "happy." I'd want to see at least 180 degrees year round, assuming that the sender is where the factory puts them- right next to the thermostat.

-Steve (you know who I am)

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-Daniel (I know where you eat BBQ)

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.