engine temp vs MPG's
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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engine temp vs MPG's
my engine is a 73 390.. 2 bbl.
if an engine this size runs really cool all the time, does it effect the gas mileage? It never overheats so i dont question it much, but I was wondering if I did something to get the engine to run hotter if that would improve the MPG's.
or does it have nothing to do with it in the end?
if an engine this size runs really cool all the time, does it effect the gas mileage? It never overheats so i dont question it much, but I was wondering if I did something to get the engine to run hotter if that would improve the MPG's.
or does it have nothing to do with it in the end?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 22
From: Lacey, WA
Hi,
Well I'm not sure if gas milage will be effected but I have read enough to convince me that engine wear WILL be affected. I run a 195* stat.
The engine will wear faster if not up to temp.
Good luck,
Well I'm not sure if gas milage will be effected but I have read enough to convince me that engine wear WILL be affected. I run a 195* stat.
The engine will wear faster if not up to temp.
Good luck,
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
engine temps
2Mouse, yes your engine temp affects the fuel economy. It also affects how fast the engine wears. The effect of running too cold will have a much bigger impact on longevity than fuel economy, I don't know if you would even notice the differance in mileage without some very careful testing. But I run a 205* stat in everything,just to get the longest engine life. DF
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my 85 nissan runs (always, even in 100 degree weather) no hotter than 160-170. its working on its 250k mark. Different engine different design on that one. this F250 runs about 160-180, i havent yet run it in the heat of summertime.
thanks for the info i didnt know cool would ruin the engines, i figured it didnt overheat it was better. I'll aim for 200 degrees.
thanks for the info i didnt know cool would ruin the engines, i figured it didnt overheat it was better. I'll aim for 200 degrees.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
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From: Albuquerque
I run a 180* all year. However, I also have an aluminum Griffin Radiator and Flex-a-lite electric fan setup on my FE. I have the fan temp set to turn on at 195*.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Boise, Idaho
Re: engine temp vs MPG's
Originally posted by 2ndmouse
my engine is a 73 390.. 2 bbl.
if an engine this size runs really cool all the time, does it effect the gas mileage? It never overheats so i dont question it much, but I was wondering if I did something to get the engine to run hotter if that would improve the MPG's.
my engine is a 73 390.. 2 bbl.
if an engine this size runs really cool all the time, does it effect the gas mileage? It never overheats so i dont question it much, but I was wondering if I did something to get the engine to run hotter if that would improve the MPG's.
Less heat will be lost from the combustion chamber to the water.
Also, the friction between the aluminum pistons and the iron cylinders is less in a 195^ engine than a 180^ engine.
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From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
Let me just state what I have seen happen. I have built engines and installed different thermostats in them. Every thermostat I have used never changed the operating temperatures. They have however changed the warm up time periods of my engines. Now maybe in a cooler climate there could be something else going on. Here in the south I have not observed what is being described in this thread.
What I see is the warmer climates never are cold enough to allow an engine to run too cool even with a 180 degree thermostat.
Maybe it is just me and the cars I have, but I just have a problem with the whole idea of engines running too cool with 180 degree thermostats.
Did I misunderstand that a thermostat opens completely when the coolant reaches the opening temperature of the thermostat? If it does then how can it regulate the maximum engine temperature under normal conditions?
I always thought they were just supposed to regulate an engines warm up time. LOL, I am not sure how I could be alone in thinking this.
What I see is the warmer climates never are cold enough to allow an engine to run too cool even with a 180 degree thermostat.
Maybe it is just me and the cars I have, but I just have a problem with the whole idea of engines running too cool with 180 degree thermostats.
Did I misunderstand that a thermostat opens completely when the coolant reaches the opening temperature of the thermostat? If it does then how can it regulate the maximum engine temperature under normal conditions?
I always thought they were just supposed to regulate an engines warm up time. LOL, I am not sure how I could be alone in thinking this.