FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Technical Board => General Technical => Topic started by: Fraze on September 02, 2015, 03:13:08 PM



Title: Grey engine running temperature
Post by: Fraze on September 02, 2015, 03:13:08 PM
Not sure if I have a problem or not!  My FC never gave me any hot running problems when it had its original radiator fitted. The core in that rad was very "open". How ever it eventually developed terminal leaks so I fitted a rad with a modern core, 2 row. This seemed to make the engine runa bit hot, pushed a bit of water out of  the overflow, so I had the original recored with a three row core. I, m still not happy, it doesnt seem to be running as cool as it used to. To check I fitted a temperature guage, sender in the head where the heater tap is usually fitted. The engine registers 90 deg C at normal running, on the highway or around town. When I stop at traffic lights it shoots up to 100 deg and when I move off, within 500 meters, it drops straight back to 90. On the highway on a slight upwardslope  not even a hill, it again climbs up to 100 deg or so but drops back on level road..The ambient temperature of the day makes little difference.The engine is not running lean and the ignition timing is spot on. It is a 138 cu in with .060 overbore, otherwise standard.
Do I have a problem, or just an over active imagination? Thanks, Fraze


Title: Re: Grey engine running temperature
Post by: Harv on September 02, 2015, 03:51:32 PM
http://forum.fefcholden.club/index.php?topic=25528.0


Title: Re: Grey engine running temperature
Post by: FX1975 on September 05, 2015, 07:54:56 PM
Sounds like it's running a bit hot, pressure test the cooling system and go from there! Ensure you have the right thermostat and radiator cap fitted! Failing that you may have circulation issues?


Title: Re: Grey engine running temperature
Post by: Fraze on September 06, 2015, 06:51:06 AM
Thanks for that advice, I have pressure tested the cooling system, have a new 7lb radiator cap and a new thermostat from Rare Spares, with new water pump. Actually the engine has only done a few thousand miles since fully reconditioning, the block and head were "hot tubbed" and cleaned then.

I think my next step will be to measure actual water temp with a thermometer and compare with what the guage is telling me.

Has anyone done a radiator shroud for a grey?


Title: Re: Grey engine running temperature
Post by: Fraze on September 07, 2015, 09:22:23 AM
I checked the water temperature in the radiator withan immersion thermometer and when my in car temp. guage read 90c, the thermometer read 85C, so it appears my in car guage is reading about 5C high.


Title: Re: Grey engine running temperature
Post by: FX1975 on September 08, 2015, 08:09:33 PM
Sounds like you've covered all the bases, let me know what you find !