[Healeys] thermostat discussion

Bob Spidell bspidell at comcast.net
Wed Jul 15 09:02:46 MDT 2009


re:
"It is not particularly a good thing that the engine is running cooler. The 
higher the operating temperature the higher the efficiency of the engine. Also 
less carbon build up in the cilinder head."


Plus, an engine needs to run hot enough to "boil" combustion byproducts--esp. 
water--out of the oil, else nasty acidic compounds will form (faster).

I was researching thermostats online and apparently, 195degF is considered 
'standard' for a Big Healey (makes sense for a car in England).


bs



Oudesluys wrote:
> The new replacement thermostat probably has a lower operating 
> temperature. It is not particularly a good thing that the engine is 
> running cooler. The higher the operating temperature the higher the 
> efficiency of the engine. Also less carbon build up in the cilinder 
> head. Compare the stamped temperature figures on both thermostats.
> The idea is that the temperature remains constant (more or less) at any 
> load. If that is not so there is trouble in the cooling system, usually 
> scale in the engine and or radiator on USA cars as often tap water has 
> been used in the past instead of proper coolant.
> Kees Oudesluijs
> NL



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Bob Spidell           San Jose, CA            bspidell at comcast.net

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