[Healeys] Engine Temperature Info ??

[Al Malin]

I was told by a radiator shop that a cooling system needs the restriction provided by an open thermostat. They say, without the restriction the flow though the radiator is too fast for effective heat transfer.

My Tricarb currently has a thermostat with the guts removed and when it's warmed up and running down the highway on a nice summer day it runs 185-190F, on the very hot summer days it runs about 195F. This is no change from prior to removing the guts.

FYI, the thermostat was suspect and its guts were removed because I didn't have a replacement at the time the cooling system was being flushed.

Al Malin
Tricarb

On Aug 3, 2012, at 2:22 PM, Rich Holman wrote:

> I also have a very early nearly original March 1957 BN4.   Put the thermostat
> back in it.  I run a 160 in the summer and the temp runs around 170 - 185.   I
> believe they need the thermostat.
> Rich57 BN4
> 
> --- On Fri, 8/3/12, AAHealeyguy at aol.com <AAHealeyguy at aol.com> wrote:
> 
> From: AAHealeyguy at aol.com <AAHealeyguy at aol.com>
> Subject: [Healeys] Engine Temperature Info ??
> To: healeys at autox.team.net
> Date: Friday, August 3, 2012, 1:10 PM
> 
> My Healey is a very early 1957 100-6 BN4 with a 161 CID (2,639cc) 6cyl head
> engine, manufactured in Longbridge.  I am in pursuit of engine temperature
> information.  What is the acceptable  high temperature for this engine. 
> After only a few miles my engine climbs to 190 degrees and tends to stay
> around
> there or drops down a little.   It might help to know that I have removed
> the thermostat several months ago  (I live in southern CA).  I have a 2 blade
> "X" fan.
> 
> Thanks in advance for any info.
> 
> Gerry K.
> 1957 100-6 BN4