oil temp

[sanders]

I'm running a carbureted 2ltr E motor with big oil tank and fairly fat mains. Runs great. Can't get the oil temp above 150f. Thermostat is good and did a double check with two other ones. Too much oil? Too much fuel? Anyone have the same problem or better yet a solution? Temp has been mechanically verified.

[Chuck Miller]

sanders,

Where do you live???
What are the ambient temps when you drive???

[chris_seven]

Has the thermostat been removed?

[sanders]

ambient temp 70-95 anything below won't move the needle. a really spirited drive on a 95 degree day will achieve normal operating temp. thermostat is working and in place. plugs are recycled racing ngk 8 heat range with msd. gas is 93 non-ethanol. what I mean by big oil tank is 73>. oil is vr1 20-50.

[chris_seven]

The thermostat setting on an early car is around 176degF so it shouldn't be opening if the temp measurement is correct.

[tom1394racing]

Are you certain your temp sender and gauge are compatible? You could be reading an incorrect temperature if you have an early gauge and late sender or vice versa.

[Flieger]

Are you certain your temp sender and gauge are compatible? You could be reading an incorrect temperature if you have an early gauge and late sender or vice versa.

See if you can take a temperature reading at the temperature sending unit. That will let you know if in fact your engine isn't getting warm enough or is it the sending unit.

The inexpensive laser temp guns work really well for that. Seem to be pretty accurate.

Amazon has one for $19, search for -Non-Contact Infrared IR Temperature Gun Digital Thermometer- just make sure the temperature range is appropriate to the use.

What type and weight of oil are you using?

Guys, he said he has mechanically verified the temperature, and he is using 20-50 VR-1

[RSTarga]

NGK 6 or 7 should be better heat range plug for your engine.
What kind of an oil cooler are you running?

[sanders]

Stock behr engine cooler. Any ideas on if a leaner mixture and hotter plugs would lead me in the right direction?

[chris_seven]

If the system is working correctly then your cooler is not relevant as your thermostat will not open which just seems very unlikely.

If your engine is making the correct horsepower then it will run warmer than you are reporting as this is just basic physics.

The amount of heat in the oil for a given design of engine/cooling system will be directly proportional to the horsepower being developed.

You may be overcooling the oil which would suggest that the thermostat is always fully open and that you are driving very gently.

If you are driving at normal speeds and the thermostat is working correctly than you probably have false readings.

If you have a tank with a couple of litres extra capacity then warm up times would increase so length of journey is another variable to consider.

I can't agree that plug heat ranges would have any measurable impact on operating temperature although I would agree that 6/7 would be better for road use.

The other thing to consider is that if the engine is running at 150degF then it is not being lubricated correctly and it is likely you could suffer from two slightly different issues.

The first is that acids and other contaminants will build up in the oil which needs to reach around 180degF to increase their volatility. If this does not happen these contaminants will eventually damages bearing surfaces.

The second is that at 150degF the viscosity of a 20/50 oil is likely to be too high to allow the cams to lubricate correctly and damage may occur even in relatively short distances.

My money would be on the accuracy of the temp display.