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Operating Temp of your 428

Discussion in '1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500' started by 68GT500-Aussieland, Apr 2, 2006.

  1. Apr 2, 2006 #1
    68GT500-Aussieland

    68GT500-Aussieland Well-Known Member

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    Hello everyone

    Is this the norm?

    My Shelby's engine temp (according to the temp guage) at 60mph+ creeps up over half - gets to 60%-70% (nearly 3/4). If I drop back to 50 mph, the gauge will go back to half or under.

    Heres what I've looked at-

    The timing is about 6 degrees - maybe a touch under. Pings a little when giving it a heavy boot but thats about it.
    I've had the carby re-jetted (richened, was too lean). Mechanically it has been fully restored so the engine would only have about 500 miles on it.

    Even if I stop the car with the temp gauge reading 60-70%, it doesnt lose fluid from the radiator.

    The temperature over here at the moment is around 27-30 degrees (celcous)

    What are your thoughts?
     
    68GT500-Aussieland, Apr 2, 2006
    68GT500-Aussieland, Apr 2, 2006
    #1
  2. Apr 2, 2006 #2
    daltondavid

    daltondavid Well-Known Member

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    How old is your Radiator?? I had a 68 GT500 and that was my problem. weighed about 50 pounds when I removed it! cured it with a nice aluminum one.
     
    daltondavid, Apr 2, 2006
    daltondavid, Apr 2, 2006
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  3. Apr 2, 2006 #3
    68GT500-Aussieland

    68GT500-Aussieland Well-Known Member

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    Hi David

    Its brand new. All of the mechanical side has only done 500 odd miles. When it was restored everything was done.

    Rohan
     
    68GT500-Aussieland, Apr 2, 2006
    68GT500-Aussieland, Apr 2, 2006
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  4. Apr 2, 2006 #4
    daltondavid

    daltondavid Well-Known Member

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    how about the Heater core? do you have a clutch fan? do yuou have A FAN SHROUD?? all of these items can play havoc if they are out of order.
     
    daltondavid, Apr 2, 2006
    daltondavid, Apr 2, 2006
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  5. Apr 2, 2006 #5
    Texas Swede

    Texas Swede Well-Known Member

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    Hi,
    Why worry if it doesn't overheat? These gauges and sending units are not that accurate and your temperature may be fine. If you are stuck in traffic, does it go up to boiling point as per gauge? If not, I think you can drive on
    without worries mate.
    Texas Swede
     
    Texas Swede, Apr 2, 2006
    Texas Swede, Apr 2, 2006
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  6. Apr 2, 2006 #6
    68GT500-Aussieland

    68GT500-Aussieland Well-Known Member

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    Clutch fan, shroud are all there. Dont know about the heater core.

    Texas Swede havent driven it in bumper to bumper traffic but around the suburbs stopping and starting at traffic lights its fine. I had similar thoughts but was sure if there could have ben something else wrong.
     
    68GT500-Aussieland, Apr 2, 2006
    68GT500-Aussieland, Apr 2, 2006
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  7. Apr 2, 2006 #7
    TLEA

    TLEA Well-Known Member

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    FE's do run on the warm side and as mentioned if everything is not exactly as supposed to be they can overheat. Mine tends to run @ about 5/8ths guage but never overheats. Also the original guages/sender can be out of calibration enough to give less than accurate readings.
    Tim
     
    TLEA, Apr 2, 2006
    TLEA, Apr 2, 2006
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  8. Apr 2, 2006 #8
    67Bugzaper

    67Bugzaper Active Member

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    428's run real hot, especially if 30 or 40 over. I did two things to drop my temp, 1) Buy some Red Line Water Wetter for your radiator and 2) use Schaeffer synthetic oil. Both can be found on EBay and will reduce your engine temp by 15+ degrees.
     
    67Bugzaper, Apr 2, 2006
    67Bugzaper, Apr 2, 2006
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  9. Apr 2, 2006 #9
    GT52

    GT52 Active Member

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    Why not put your mind at ease? Buy or borrow an infrared thermometer and check the temperature at the thermostat housing with the engine at operating temperature...then you'll know what the gage is really saying.
     
    GT52, Apr 2, 2006
    GT52, Apr 2, 2006
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  10. Apr 2, 2006 #10
    DJR

    DJR Well-Known Member

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    My KR runs rock solid with whatever stat I put into it. Can be the hottest day and no problems. Right now I run 180 stat and car runs 185, if stuck in traffic will get to 190-200 but takes awhile to get there. I know this because I have a accurate gauge. I took out the originals and put in mechanical water temp. and oil pressure gauges. Hated not knowing exactly what was going on. As metioned before, I used my original tanks and sides and had a new high efficiency rad made. Shroud is sealed to rad to force air threw and the clutch fan works. 6 degrees seems alittle late, you might try bumping it up a bit. First thing I would do is find out how hot it really is running. As mentioned you can use the infrared or simple gauge that drops in the rad.
     
    DJR, Apr 2, 2006
    DJR, Apr 2, 2006
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  11. Apr 3, 2006 #11
    jbsteven

    jbsteven Well-Known Member

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    I agree, get a mechanical temp gauge and watch it for a little while so you know EXACTLY what the temp is. anything inside the normal range is fine.
     
    jbsteven, Apr 3, 2006
    jbsteven, Apr 3, 2006
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  12. Apr 5, 2006 #12
    cougar

    cougar Well-Known Member

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    Do as GT52 said. There is nothing like seeing the real temperature to put your mind at ease.
    Frank
     
    cougar, Apr 5, 2006
    cougar, Apr 5, 2006
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