Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I have been having overheating problems. My dash temp gauge runs backward. When engine is off the gauge starts at hot and as the engine warms up it goes to cool. I think I wired it per harness diagram. While idling the guage eventually pegs out on the left side (cool) I used my temp sensor gun and the block temp reads is at about 175 . How hot should the block be?
Thanks, Mike

Sounds like there are definitely issues with your gauge, maybe wiring got mixed up when you were working on it? I'd do a little double checking to see if you can find the issue.

Thermostat should be operating around 160 so I don't think your engine temp is too far off. I remember checking head temp on my some time ago, but don't remember what it was.

175 is absolutely fine. Those gages read H when the ignition is off, should go to C when you start, then move up the scale as the engine warms. You probably just need a new sender.

For that year Packard the fuel level and oil pressure gauges will rest in the low position with the car shut-off. The coolant temperature gauge is opposite in that it will rest on the high position with the car shut-off. Search for “King Seeley” in the forums for all of the mysteries and details of those gauges. Your condition may simply be a modern coolant temperature sending unit has been installed. There have been some recent forum discussions on the use of sending units from 40’s Ford products.

dp