[Tom '74 911]

Hello -

I've got a '90 3.6L engine in my '74 911. For oil cooling, I have the stock thermostat, ER finned oil lines, ER fender cooler in the right front fender and a large ER front mounted oil cooler behind a front IROC bumper w/the center cut out etc.... and I am wondering if my engine is running too cool. When it's cold/cool out (25F to 50F) my temp needle barely budges to the lowest reading on the gauge - 120F. Last fall I blocked off the front bumper opening which made only a slight difference in the temp. readings.

Is this too cool for the engine to be running? I am wondering if maybe my thermostat is stuck open as I think in stock form it's supposed to open at 180F? The only time I've ever seen temps higher than 180F is at the track during the summer. How would one check to see if the thermostat is stuck open? I also run 20-50 oil and I'm wondering if the thermostat's built in pressure relief valve is opening when the engine is cold and the oil is thick - allowing cold oil to circulate through the system and never letting the engine heat up. . .

One of the reasons for posting all this is that I am having a hard time getting any warm air out of my heat system. I have Fabspeed headers w/heater boxes plumbed only on the driver's side. When it's cold outside, it blows luke-warm air at best, even after driving for a while. . . I'm assuming I might get better heat if my engine actually ran a little warmer?

I've also thought of bypassing the front cooler altogether and just plumbing the fender cooler to see if that makes a difference. I have the appropriate oil line to plumb it that way, I'd just need some plugs for the lines to the front cooler.

Any thoughts/comments are appreciated.

Thanks for reading,
Tom