3.2 Operating temp?
 

Ok,
I will ask what temps are the 3.2 operators getting here? I converted my '84 to the '75 oil temp gauge set up including the proper '75 sender. Gauge temps were verified with the very same IR remote thermometer that was used on my dogs butt so I know its good to go! The gauge was within a very small margin of error using the IR thermometer. I temped the oil filter, oil tank, engine case at the temp sensor location and the dogs butt for calibration purposes. All temps were very close except the dogs butt! With an outside temp of 60 deg F, I only get to 180 degrees after driving hard and on a down hill the temp will drop to the 120-130 range. I replaced the engine thermostat after confirming the hot water test to confirm correct operation and the original thermostat worked fine as well.
Is this engine just a cool runner?
eric

194 is the norm but with cooltemps it will stay around 180, but in traffic you will see it go to 194+

Last summer I was worried about my engine running cold so I did the same things with an IR thermometer. I don't have a dog so I had to use my own butt for calibration. I was told that 180F is the middle of the Carrera temp guage and is, more or less, considered the normal operating temperature. My guage was showing cooler, but the (carefully calibrated) IR remote showed 179F at the valve covers. Rather than have the engine rebuilt, I've decided to accept that it runs one degree cold. :D

Sounds like yours is indeed running a bit cold though. Seems like you've tackled all the things I would have recommended, except maybe switching to a less viscous oil. 10W-40?

When I had an '86 engine in my 1973, I had installed external oil cooler lines and trombone cooler. At 60 deg temps it would stay around 170- 180 degrees. In the summer it would run around 180 most of the time, maybe reach 200 when sitting in traffic. No a/c car. After warm up it did not drop down to the 120's you're seeing.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1080755488.jpg

Bend your head to the right of the steering wheel, turn left, there usually numbers under the bezel. They are in centigrade.

Thanks to Joe Bob in the thread below. Lots of cool running 911s this time of year.

You can increase the winter engine temps by running the A/C on a low fan setting with the heat on. It will warm the rear condenser air flow to the engine.

Not much use below freezing..but works when it is 40*/50* outside and you want to get your oil temps up faster.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/675503-temp-pressure-gauge.html

This is a flick of the gauge when it was in the '75:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1361912226.jpg

Trying to get an handle on a new model engine!

Oil Temps.
 

185-210F is the optimum range.

210F to boil off some of the condensation in the oil.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1361917515.jpg

Mine runs 180 (eight o clock) spring and fall then 210 (845- 9 o clock) in the summer.

I know there are no stupid questions, but this is a stupid question. When the oil temp gauge has no numbers on it, what temperature does the lines on the gauge equate to?

The engine runs at what the thermostat opens at. It climbs past that when driving conditions exceed the coolers capacity.

on an SC or 3.2 9 o'clock is about 230

I think, but not sure, that this came from another Pelican thread
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1372833126.jpg

If 9 o'clock is half-way between the 194 and 248 marks that's actually 221f. My car has been running warm recently (230-250f) so I had the internal thermostat tested. It wasn't opening until 250f!! With a new thermostat in the oil temp is now running 210-220f in outside temps of 95-100 with the a/c running.

Thank you. Mine runs below 9:00! Probably between 8:30 and 8:45 which sounds about normal.

These guys use to sell overlays I installed them in my car awhile back.
http://newvintageusa.com/911modules

9 o'clock is more than half way...it is at the unnumbered small tic mark which is actually an alignment mark for mounting the scale. Closer to 230 than 220.
The picture of the gauge above is slightly canted.

I've wanted to add one of their numbered overlays to my gauge, but I dislike using Fahrenheit scale in a German car. I'm talking with them now about the same overlay but in Celsius. Might have to have a batch of 10-12 made. So if I do it, I'll have some spares to sell.

Sub'd since I have a couple of small dents in my oil lines and wanted to keep an eye on things. Couple weeks ago I was up to the second mark after a track session.

This for 3.2s?

That scale isn't accurate for all 911s.....

Update!
Driving to work today, 90+, trigger foot was itching, got the temps to about 205, uphill and making time. Hit Skyline and temps promptly dropped back to 190ish. So I guess all the thermostats are operating correctly and the oil coolers are doing their jobs.
Hola
Eric

Mine runs an indicated 210 all the time. IR measures in the high 190's on the oil return line. Not sure which measurement is less accurate.

Track use gets it to 230, and if I really beat on it 240 is readily attainable on a hot day. I back off for a few laps at that point. I have had my engine apart for valve guide issues, and these temps do not seem to affect bearing wear (at least not at 15K miles).

If the gauge face in your 3.2 looks like that one (as does mine), those numbers are as correct as this type of gauge can be. Consider them a reasonable approximation.

Good to hear.

Why would Porsche have oil temp. gauges with numbers that can only be seen if your looking at the gauge from the side? all the other gauges have the numbers right out in view.

good enough. thanks much.