C1 Engine Coolant Temp Readings during PV Judging

[Wayne M.]

Would those C1 years that came factory-equipped with 160 deg. F. Harrison thermostats be expected to show temperatures in that zone, as shown on the gauge, throughout the town/country travel portions of PV judging ?

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Engine Coolant Temp Readings during PV Judging

I feel 180 is the general norm

[Stewart A.]

Re: C1 Engine Coolant Temp Readings during PV Judging

I just changed my temp sender to the original one and it reads 140 -160 only gets to 180 after sitting in 100 degree traffic for 20 minutes plus. The newer temp senders look the same but read higher about 20 - 30 degrees. The calibration is obviously a lot different. Stewy

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 Engine Coolant Temp Readings during PV Judging

Just because the thermostat opens fully at 160 doesn't mean the engine will stay at that temp. Reason indicates it would get higher.

BTW suggest you test thermostats in your kitchen in hot water with a thermometer to see where they really open before you install them.

[Joe C.]

Re: C1 Engine Coolant Temp Readings during PV Judging

Test results from July 2009 *:

Robertshaw 160 thermostat.......begin open 168.........full open/begin close 181
Stant 180 thermostat.................begin open 182.........full open/begin close 194

* both thermostats were concurrently suspended in water by non conductive material. Thermometer was suspended between the two temp sensing pellets, which were 1" apart. Water was continually stirred. Temp rise/fall was limited to 5 degrees/minute.

[Gary C.]

Re: C1 Engine Coolant Temp Readings during PV Judging

Joe, sounds like a test that Vinnie would be interested in for a Restorer article. Just curious as how you kept the water heat rising? Gary....

[Joe C.]

Re: C1 Engine Coolant Temp Readings during PV Judging

Joe, sounds like a test that Vinnie would be interested in for a Restorer article. Just curious as how you kept the water heat rising? Gary....

I used a medium sized pot........5-6 quarts. I modulated the flame to the point where the water was shedding heat at the same rate that it was gaining heat (constant temp). Kept it at this point for awhile, to make certain I had SS condition. Then increased heat very slightly to produce a very slow temp rise, while stirring constantly. Cycled between about 160 and 200 degrees numerous times to determine repeatability.

Very simple. Entire process required less than 2 hours.

Another thing that I found, was that the particular "160" stat used for the test operated in a more linear fashion, whereas, the "180" unit operated more abruptly.

My intention was to install a "170" thermostat into my SBC, but did not have one on hand. The "160" thermostat keeps the temp within the range that I want it, so I'll consider it a "170" thermostat, even though it is stamped "160".

[Troy P.]

Re: C1 Engine Coolant Temp Readings during PV Judging

My experience as well. They don't match the intended fully open temp stamped on them. Besides checking for that you should at least dunk them in hot water before installation just ot make sure they open at any temp. I bet there are some that don't even work right out of the box.