Too Cool - Engine Thermostat question
 

My oil never gets above 190degF, no matter how hard I drive or how long I drive for. This motor has only the engine mounted cooler, so only one thermostat, back by the case breather.

I have my motor back together, its a 2.2T with E cams and dizzy. It just got a set of fresh Zeniths, and I have been able to confirm correct mixture with a colortune. Timing is 30deg at 6k and bounces about +/-2deg at full advance. The idle timing is around 5bdc, and the advance is rock solid, no bouncing until full advance is reached.

This motor has the adjustable Oil thermostat, and I'm thinking it's been adjusted in the past to compensate for a filthy motor and partially blocked oil cooler. I can see the screw on top of the thermostat, but I'm wondering if there is a procedure for adjustment? Can anyone help out?

Thanks all!

Dan

The first thing to do is verify the temperature with an independent source.

If the oil temp sender has been replaced you may have a mismatch.
FWIW: The chrome sender that comes on the 78 and later engines has a different resistance and when installed with the early gauge will give you a 30 degree temperature discrepancy.

Never heard of an adjustable thermostat but 190 degrees is fine, what do you want?

-Andy

Henry,
Thanks for the input! I have verified the gauge reading to be the same as the tank temperature.

My concern is all about getting the oil hot enough to evaporate any moisture that may have made its way in. If 190 at the sensor is over 212 on the hotter parts of the motor, then there isn't any problem at all.

I was hoping for 210, simply because that's the midrange of the gauge, and is pretty close to water's boiling point. However, if 190 will get the job done, then so be it.

Thanks for the help!

-Dan

Water evaporates below 212 degrees. If you have piston squirters the oil should get plenty hot.