What is the operating temp of a 390? A co-worker tells me 180. My gauge reads 160 after warm up.

 

A 195 stat will make your engine happy! 160 is too cold!

 

I'm running a Ford 192 T-Stat. My truck runs about 205-210. Is this typical, or a bit hot? It doesn't seem to matter where I set the fan to come on or what speed I'm doing on the highway. There seems to be very little variation with the outside temperature. It runs the same whether it's 20 or 60 degrees F.

 

Where are you picking up the temperature? Same place as the stock temp sender?

 

That's where I'm picking it up and mine hits 195 and drops down to between 165 and 180 and fluctuates. I've been through 2 thermostats now. I am going to try a more expensive one next time.

 

Yes, I'm measuring in the same place as the stock sensor. I'm not using a stock gauge or sending unit. I'm using a capillary aftermarket gauge.

It only runs well above "190".

 

Gtex, 205-210 is no problem. I run a hiflow robertshaw 'stat in everything, a 205*. The engines usually run at 210-215, and have no trouble. I think the FE likes to be warm. Where the notion that 200 was too hot came from, I don't know. Pulling trailers in the summertime, I've seen it get as hot as 245 on long, uphill grades. Once on level ground it went right back to 215 in just a couple of minutes. What radiator/waterpump/pulleys are you using ? DF,@his Dad's

 

Pulley's are stock.

Edelbrock Aluminum FE water pump.

New 4 core radiator from Performance Radiator through Radiator.com

I think it ran cooler before the latest spring change, but only slightly (maybe 195-200). Not sure if that makes any sense, other than the Bozo's didn't have my fan connection hooked up when I picked up the truck. I started it and it ran to a boil before I shut her down andrealized what happened (just in the parking lot, not moving). I quickly connected the fan and she started right up, temp dropping to the 205-210 range.

Are there upgrade pullies? I'd like my alternator to spin a little faster at idle. There is a substantial voltage drop below 1000RPM. that can't be good for the fan, ignition and fuel pump that are all now electric.

 

I don't know, but my 390 with almost 11:1 compression (and a 292/292 adv. cam) with a 180 degree thermostat runs at almost exactly 180-185. I have a non-contact thermometer (the $100 kind with the laser pointer) that showed the intake water and upper radiator at 180-185 degrees... at idle. And I can put my hand on the upper hose when it's emptying into the radiator, and that can only be less than 190 or so.

gtex, I would suggest getting one of those point-and-shoot thermometers and see what you're REALLY running. Otherwise, open the radiator, and put a meat or other cooking thermometer in the water that can handle 150-250 degrees.

See what you're really getting, not what the guage is showing.

I have had a few Triumph TR7 OHC 2.0 4-cyl's, and they all ran hot, like with a 180 thermostat, they ran about 210 on a good day at idle. They warped the head like crazy. My FE's, both a 360 and two versions of my current 390 never ran much hotter than the thermostat, except at load. I don't really think you should be at that temp in the intake water jacket, especially with an ELECTRIC water pump that never changes speed. It should already be pushing what, like what a stock pump would do at at least 3000RPM?

I could be wrong

As to the alternator, do you have a new regulator?

 

so i have my temp sensor right were the exit line is coming from the block to radiator is it okay i sometimes got 210 degrees Fahrenheit is that okay?