Proper Operating Temp.

[91 LTD]

In my poor top end perf. thread someone mentioned these cars like to run/ run better a little hot. Mine if anything runs cold. Would love some more info. Thanks in adv.

[mrltd]

200 give or take 5* or so.

[gadget73]

Yeah, somewhere 190-210 is normal. Mine with a 195 tstat normally runs 190-200 depending on the weather. 195 is the stock one for these motors too.

[Archangel]

Oh, good reminder, I still have to install my 197*F thermostat. New Radiator cap might be a good idea too, what blow-off pressure I need for that?

[gabegt90]

Oh, good reminder, I still have to install my 197*F thermostat. New Radiator cap might be a good idea too, what blow-off pressure I need for that?

+1 yeah a new radiator cap really helps to.
I have a 195 temp thermostat she runs normal 210. she loves running little warm.

[91 LTD]

All I know is the temp guage is always at the left half of the R in normal. I guess a new thermostat is in order.

[gadget73]

Ivan: 16 lb is the standard rad cap.

91: those temp guages aren't worth a shit really. I have the stock in-dash one and a mechanical external plumbed pretty much right next to one another. The mechanical one runs a pretty steady 195, and the stock one will wander anywhere from perfect half scale all the way over to L and the mechanical one shows little to no change. I'd seriously hook up an actual guage, even if just for temporary test purposes to see what you're running at. You can get a cheap mechanical one and install it under the hood, go for a drive, then pull over and check it.

[91 LTD]

Mine's been super consistent, so I kinda trust it. I wonder if the CHP did anything w/ the radiator/ fan? They put on a 2bbl Holley instead of the vv, so..

[gadget73]

Doubtful. All thats really there is probably the heavier duty 3 core radiator vs the stock 1 or 2 core, and maybe a heavier duty clutch. Police models also had blue silicone hoses vs black rubber. Otherwise there isn't much different about the police cooling system, nor is there really anything substantial to modify short of a bigger radiator or replacing the clutch with a straight drive fan.

Also, regarding the guage, mostly my point was that you can't judge that its really too cold by that guage. You need something with temperature numbers to say. You can cheat and make use of one of those IR guns aimed at the upper radiator hose right next to the engine, and that should give you a pretty good idea of the engine temperature.

[91 LTD]

Got the blue hoses, dont know anything about the radiator other than its in really good shape (coolant always that green color), wonder if the fans not straight drive, its really loud when you rev the engine, might they have put a bigger fan in too? My faith in the guage is based on how its exactly in the same place except for a few trips across bat country where I drove really fast w/ the ac on and it read higher and w/ the same consistency. Where would I hook one up under the hood?

[gadget73]

To tell exactly what temperature its operating at. The 'normal' area is fairly wide, if you were interested in knowing exactly what the operating temperature is, you need something with numbers. It doesnt need to be a permanant thing, just a temp measure to be able to put a number to it. Telling someone your engine runs O degrees and you want it to run R degrees is gonna get mighty funny looks.

[91 LTD]

I agree, so where/ how do I hook a temp gauge? Someday want a perm. one in the car, but for now an under the hood "ghetto" setup would be fine.

[gadget73]

Front driver's side corner of the intake has the stock sending unit. Just remove that and install your guage there. Stock sending unit has a single wire on the top, fairly small thing.