'78 SC oil temp question

[schiarchianis]

Can anyone help me figure out exactly how many degrees the pointer on my temp gauge is reading? With a flash light and my readers on I can see the numbers in there, but they're so small, even with my glasses, I can't make out what are. In this picture, the outside temp was about 85 degrees, and I did not have the ac on. The motor has about 1100 miles on a complete rebuild, including a new CSF engine oil cooler. Prior to the rebuild, the temp was consistently at the 9 o'clock position. Thanks...Steve

[rattlsnak]

Everybody's will be slightly different and no way to tell for sure unless you have a gauge. . There is an upgrade where you add the gauge type that shows degrees.

[Mark Salvetti]

On my 1979, there are no marks under the edge of the gauge in that area. I think the start of the red area is 150C, or 302F.

If I had to guess, based on the spacing between the marks, I would go with about 110C where you are pointed, or 230F.

You can upgrade to numbers, but the kit is $400: https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/PEL911TMPKT1.htm?pn=PEL-911-TMP-KT1&KeepHeader=Y

Mark

[silverlock]

About 235-240F on the style A gauge, which is on the hotter end. Not horrifically so but you shouldn’t want to be there too regularly.



I put a CSF Carrera 3.2 style cooler, bumper vent, the rock guard/shroud and a 7.5” SPAL fan with a 195F thermoswitch (Summit has a kit!) on my SC and temps now sit at a consistent <= 195F even after wringing the hell out of it (or in hot traffic). The only time I’ll see ~210F (well within the safety zone) is when at altitude.

The shroud is critical: not just for rocks but to force air into the cooler vs letting it flow around it.