I think my SC is still running Too Hot
 

I recently replaced the internal engine thermostat in my 78 3.0 SC while I had the engine out. I thought for sure that was the cause of my running hot. The thermostat tested stuck/not good. I tested and confirmed the replacement as good/yes functioning correctly, before I put it in.

So, yesterday, 95 degree day, highway miles, the un-numbered temp gauge stayed steady at about the 10:00 o clock position. At least a quarter inch from the red.

Should I be working toward keeping my temps lower? Like around the 9:00 o'clock position? Or is it normal/OK to run in this higher range?

I still have only the trombone front cooler, and yes it gets hot, but I'm thinking I might want to upgrade to the Carrera cooler, but then the question will be with or without the fan,,, or put in a front valance cooler,, or both?

I might add a complete aftermarket AC system someday, so I think I need to have my engine cooling issues under control before any such further upgrades.

I've also read here that timing could have something to contribute to engine running temperature. Still have stock vacuum advance distributor, at standard setting, I believe.

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks

I installed a Mocal cooler with a fan. It's in the fender well. The cooler is a big improvement over the less than effective trombone.

The carrera cooler with fan is an adequate solution. you can not run a/c without one.

Thermostat test........
 

Scot,

You did the test for the engine thermostat but did you check the auxiliary thermostat too? As you well observed, the engine thermostat does the initial oil warming up @ 170°F followed by the aux. thermostat @ 186°F. Use an infrared thermometer to read your temperature and compare the reading to your gauge. For auxiliary cooler? You can't go wrong with the OEM Carrera cooler (fan or without fan). I removed my OEM fan because it only obstructs air flow through the fender and since I don't do city driving at all, the choice was simple.

However, the front bumper mounted cooler is more efficient than a fender mounted one. Just my two cent.

Tony

+1 on the Carrera oil cooler/block off and fan.
'83 SC w 221k miles...today at 101 degress, 80 mile trip mostly at 70 mph, up/down hill with some city driving never got over 210.
Prior with the trombone the same drive (do it regularly) would have been 20-30 degrees higher.

The other day it was 107, running a Carrera oil cooler and A/C my SC oil temp is between the 8 o clock and 9 o clock position on the highway.

The Mocal cooler in the right front wheel serves the purpose very well. I did put a Spal fan on the Mocal and wired a switch to the dash. I use the fan in stop and go driving in very hot weather. I even had very satisfactory temps while doing summertime track events at Summit Point, VIR, etc meaning somewhat southern and hot, humid conditions. If you are doing a lot of track events, I would look to the front bumper mounted cooler.

Any of the suggestions are far better than the trombone.

You need to get a real oil cooler on that thing. The 10:00 position on the temp guage is around 250 degrees.:eek: I'd also recommend installing a temp gauge that measures in degrees. I believe our host sells this conversion.

Which weight oil are you running? I can sit in stop and go traffic in 100 deg weather with the AC on all day, and never cross 9 o'clock. I don't have anything other than the trombone cooler and I only here it gurgling every so often.

Agree on the oil cooler, I added the Carrera oil cooler and fan (plus BMW 210 degree thermostat) and saw a big decrease in temperature on my SC. I was pushing 230 to 240 on really hot days (90+) with no air conditioning on or anything. Now I have not gone above 210 degrees, even with a 100 or so day on Friday and pushing the engine hard. I am very happy with the upgrade and decreased temps, very good peace of mind.

Regards,

Chuck

Scott R, I'm kind of amazed that with only a trombone you can sit in stop and go traffic in 100 deg weather and never cross 9 o'clock. Are you sure your temp gauge is working properly?

Positive it is. With the amount of time and expense I have in my engine I have both mechanical and the dash gauges as a check for temp and oil pressure.

+1 on making sure the rest of the system is working properly before spending $$ on upgrades.

1. check the function of the thermostat in the right rear wheel well (does the trombone cooler get hot?)
2. check for dents in the oil lines running the length of the right side. Dents can restrict oil flow and reduce cooling.

I agree but will add that these earlier cars were not designed for South West heat and even a well maint. car will run hotter than you'd like with out some help (real radiator/fan)

Every little bit helps - drop your hard oil lines and scrub them very clean, same on trombone. Invest in the correct sender/gauge (easy to swap out) so you have the numbers right in front of you. I moved to the 28-tube oil cooler and numbered gauge on my '78 SC, but then again in Seattle WE HAVE HAD LESS THAN ONE HOUR OF TEMPS OVER 80 DEGREES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

at 80 degrees ambient, cold weather, I barely get out of the lower white line Lol....this guy lives in New Mexico.....it's 105 today. Those trombones don't play any kind of music in that heat.

103 Here on Saturday, no problems.

The actual temps are on the original gauge way over on the left. Flashlight and reading glasses. Once the temps are understood why bother with a new gauge?

Forgive me if this has already been mentioned or if you mentioned you had done this already-

Have you verified with an infrared thermometer the temperature of the oil filter? I'd hate to see you jump through a bunch of hoops only to realize the sender wasn't telling the truth.

See what the temp is first, from an independent/verifiable method before throwing parts at it. You may be surprised of what's really causing your perceived temp problem.

Again, if you've done this, ignore my post please.

Thanks Bob- I had to go downstairs to see if my bucket of parts had this and it does. I learned something new today about my junk, thanks to you.