Re: 1950 Packard 288 Auto overheating HELP

Posted by otgdy On 2010/2/3 14:33:17

!!!!Just because you have a 160 degree thermostat doesn't mean that your engine will maintain a constant 160 degrees!!!!

I just want you to know I fully agree with this statement in that a 160 thermostat will regulate the minimum temperature to 160. It will not prevent the engine from overheating. It does help cool since it restricts flow of fluid thru the radiator so it has time to cool off.

My thought of changing to a 160 degree thermostat is to see if the resultant engine temp goes down to 160 degrees or remains higher. If the the engine stays over 160 after the change than the cooling system is not good enough for whatever reason /radiator/pump/clogs/transfer tube/ blown head gasket.

I checked the entire engine with a UV temperature sensor/gun and the numbers all jive with the gage. The thermostat housing was about 180 and the front and back of the block were within 5 degrees of each other. When the gage went a little past the vertical then the UV temp was around 190.

When the engine overheated the gage was at full travel within a few (5) minutes and no it never went down.

Thanks for the fin counts sure would be interesting to see if the rad guy was right or not. Will let you know when I get the count.

We are getting snow again so I don't know when I can overheat the beast again and take a uv temp to see how hot it is.

OTG