I appreciate your constant advice.I’ve written about the current state after the work and the state last summer before the work.The difference I noticed after the recent work was that the warm-up time has shortened.
Thank you for your advice as always.I’m considering installing a new water temperature sensor and gauge to confirm the appropriate water temperature.What do you think about the position of the gauge needle I drew in the diagram?
That’s the purpose of the thermostat - faster engine warm up to desired operating temp. Now use your infrared thermometer to measure the engine temp at the temp sensor. That’s the best place to start in figuring out if you really have a temp problem or if it’s just the gauge or sensor. On a winter day, it shouldn’t be running much hotter than the thermostat rating - normally about 195 deg F which should read less than 1/2 on the gauge. On a hot summer day, 210 deg F coolant temp should read just above 1/2 on the gauge.
Many /. most of the thermisters sold nowdays to replace the temperature sending unit are the wrong value. I would measure the actual temperature at the sending unit using my Snap On infrared gun. Likely it is too hot but you never know until you do.
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Looking closer at your picture, that is not the factory restrictor plate in your engine. That is an aftermarket plate designed for the Pantera cars with 351C:
This plate doesn’t have the large hole in the middle, so you need to use a standard thermostat with this one. The Robertshaw thermostat we talked about earlier only works with the factory restrictor plate with larger hole pictured here:
Thank you for your advice as always.
It’s been a while.
The gauge moves below half while driving, and when stationary for a long time, it shows slightly above half.
Please wait another six months for verification in summer temperatures.
I removed the plate and installed a compatible one.
The two new parts prepared before installation are shown in the photo below.
I see!
So by measuring the temperature and taking several readings of the water temperature gauge needle’s position inside the meter, you can determine what condition it’s in.
Thank you.
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Those are the correct parts, and your temp readings sound about right! Summer will be a better test, and I am ready for it to get here soon with outside temp here of 0 deg F.
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0°F?!
Freezing cold!
Your Cougar needs a DeLonghi heater!!
Since I replaced the radiator hoses, need to drive it for a while to check for leaks in each section.
By the way, do you know the torque spec for the thermostat housing (water neck)?
I couldn’t find the page with that data when accessing from Japan.
Only 0? -8 at my house this morning!
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The shop manual gives specs for torque of bolts that are not called out specifically. I never use it but for morons it is in there.
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12-15 ft-lbs is the spec for water outlet bolts (thermostat housing).
My Cougar has hibernated in the garage until spring rains wash the salt off the roads.
Thank you for letting me know.
I’ll make a note of it in my maintenance procedure notebook.
I hear a major cold wave is hitting parts of the U.S. right now?
I saw it on the news.
I hope no disasters occur.
Yes, most of the U.S. from the Rocky Mountains to the east coast is affected. Temps dropped from 50 deg to 0 deg F here in KC and has been snowing for 24 hours. Those up north have even lower temps, and to the south have deeper snow and ice. I hope it’s warmer over there!