Hi guys. my 73 455 in a skylark doesn't make any temperature when the weather gets colder. It takes a while to warm up too during the summer. I put electric fans on it thinking that the clutch fan was always spinning and cooling the radiator. It still stays cool and doesn't make any temp. I run a 160 stat in it and it won't even come close tot hat on cold days. Is my stat bad? It should get up to temp, so i feel like the stat is bad, but don't want to rip it apart unless I have a second opinion...? any ideas? thanks Bob:beer
How are you verifying the temperature? You best try another method, because the engine WILL warm up past 160 if it's running on all cylinders. Even if the thermostat is stuck open, you'll get over 160, it'll just take a lot longer. What happens if you let it fast idle in the driveway for fifteen minutes with the fans disconnected? Does the upper rad hose get hard from pressure? First guess: the gauge you're looking at is inaccurate. Second guess: Stuck thermostat.
I found out the hard way that if you are taking temp readings based on a sensor screwed into the bung at the back of the manifold the readings will be way off-sometimes too low and other times too high.There is not a thru passage for water flow at that location.Putting the sensor at the front of the manifold cured all problems.I too have seen defective new thermostats as well.I put in a NAPA 180 and it works like a charm.Motor stays at 180 all the time and warm-up is quick.Rod
funny you mention that thing about the coolant sensor... Mine is at the back of the intake. I'm going to change that. Also, I think I'll change the stat just for ha ha's!! Bob
I would change just the sensor and see what happens.....if you change everything at once you will never know what really cured the problem. Just a thought. Later tim
