Question on Temp
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Question on Temp
My gauge only has 2 lines one on the left and one on the right with a curved line that goes between them ( 1966 F100 ) the temp never get past the first line. is this to cold ? the heater works fine and all just wonder if maby I have to low a thermastat . where on this gauge should it read ?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 2
From: Spokane WA
Gauges are really just idiot lights with pictures, my good friend oldhalftons taught me that 
To get an accurate reading of your temp, a candy thermometer in the radiator when its at operating temp and coolant is circulating would be much better.
what thermostat is in it? pull it and look, its pretty easy. and test it in some water on the stove with the candy thermometer, if that checks out okay, I would only use the gauge for telling you about fluctuations that arent normal....
To get an accurate reading of your temp, a candy thermometer in the radiator when its at operating temp and coolant is circulating would be much better.
what thermostat is in it? pull it and look, its pretty easy. and test it in some water on the stove with the candy thermometer, if that checks out okay, I would only use the gauge for telling you about fluctuations that arent normal....
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 3
No one knows what those type gauges mean. You never know if the sender is right or if you have a good ground from your engine to your body, or what else has gone south.
You can check the rad temp as above or find someone with a laser heat sensor gun or buy some real add on gauges with numbers.
Assuming that you have a good clean radiator and don't have any other overheating problems a 190-195 is what it came out with. You will get the most power and economy with the stock thermo.
You can check the rad temp as above or find someone with a laser heat sensor gun or buy some real add on gauges with numbers.
Assuming that you have a good clean radiator and don't have any other overheating problems a 190-195 is what it came out with. You will get the most power and economy with the stock thermo.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 3
From: Elizabethtown, PA
My experience with the FE in my '65 is that the temp should be somewhere right around the lower line (Custom Cab gauge). Anything 1/4 up the gauge and higher is a problem. I had a faulty thermostat and it was that area of the gauge where it would begin vomiting coolant.
These engines take forever to get warm, but once they are there they tend to stay hot. I wouldn't go particularly high temp with a thermo. I think 180 deg is probably reasonable.
These engines take forever to get warm, but once they are there they tend to stay hot. I wouldn't go particularly high temp with a thermo. I think 180 deg is probably reasonable.
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