Proper operating temp
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
Proper operating temp
I posted this question on the 460 forum but havent gotten much of any responses. My temp gage runs at the very high end of the normal temp range so I used an infarred heat gun to check the temp at the water neck, radiator, and intake manifold where the temp sensor/sending unit is. The temp gun shows that the temps on the outside of these areas is 185-200 degrees. I dont know if using the heat gun is giving me an accurate temp or if the motor is in fact running too hot. Do I need to hook up a mechanichal temp gage to get a true reading or is my temp gage on the dash off (maybe its the unit from the 400 and reads different in the 460).
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Benbrook, Texas
Are you saying you swapped from a 400 to a 460 and kept your original sender and gauge? I can't imagine they'd be different for the two applications.
Probably the bigger concern is how old that temp gauge is. Mechanical temp gauges are cheap from Summit or other parts houses, and while they may not be as reliable as more upscale units, they've got to be giving you better info than the cold/hot one in your dash. My old 351M with the factory gauge did the same thing on brutal Texas summer days in traffic (all the way into the H area), when I changed it to the (cheap) Summit gauge, similar driving habits produced temps of 235 or so. Not sure that helps. I'd recommend you splurge for an aftermarket gauge.
Bob
Probably the bigger concern is how old that temp gauge is. Mechanical temp gauges are cheap from Summit or other parts houses, and while they may not be as reliable as more upscale units, they've got to be giving you better info than the cold/hot one in your dash. My old 351M with the factory gauge did the same thing on brutal Texas summer days in traffic (all the way into the H area), when I changed it to the (cheap) Summit gauge, similar driving habits produced temps of 235 or so. Not sure that helps. I'd recommend you splurge for an aftermarket gauge.
Bob
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Don't use infared heat guns to check coolant temperature, and don't base anything off the factory gauge. The only way to get an accurate reading is with a mechanical gauge, which places the transducer directly in the coolant path.
