1972 Cuda Temp gauge

[72CudaROG]

Hey guys,

new to the forum here.

I have a 72 Cuda, its been really hot here this summer 95-105, and I'm having a little issues keeping her cool. I put a new cold case Rad on with dual 12" electric fans, and my temp gauge is reading just a tick over the center position (factory gauge)

I see dokota digital gauges the center position is 180 degrees, im use to most gauges where center is 210 or 220 degrees.

Does anyone know on the factory gauge if center position is 180 degrees or 210 degrees?

I know I have to test the Ohms to really calibrate it, just trying to get an idea if im running 190 degrees or 230 degrees.

I IR the top of the rad and was 160F and the top of engine and valve covers were 189F when gauge was at center position. I havn't boiled over or anything, but I usually only drive for 10 min and shut it down, dont want to burn anything up!

Thanks

 

[moparlee]

Take your infrared gun and point it at the water pump housing just below the T-stat and at where the factory gauge is threaded in. Both should read about the same and will be your operating temp. If the top of the rad is only 160 you might have a stuck T-stat.

You should go on over to the Welcome Wagon and introduce yourself and your car.

 

[Steve340]

The stock gauge is only an indicator - who knows were a specific temperature would be.
The factory was only interest in "way to hot"
The best way I have found is to run the car with the radiator cap off (from cold) and insert a thermocouple/gauge in the water and compare the known reading to the gauge in the dash.
Get a friend to assist you makes it easier.
You can run the car after the thermostat opens but don't get it too hot you will have water everywhere.
It is also best to start with the level down in the top tank as the water expands as it heats up.
With the cap off the water is unpressurised and will boil at well published temps at atmospheric pressure.

 

[Ele115]

I have an AAR and a 70 Hemicuda. The AAR has never had any hoses or even the thermostat replaced. The cooling system was flushed when it came out of storage and it runs consistently below half on the temp gauge. The Hemi runs closer to half and it climbs past half when it sits idling. If it idles a really long time it climbs a bit high for my comfort.

You can unscrew the sender and put in a "T" and temporarily run a good direct read temp gauge long enough to see what the gauge in your cluster is really telling you at certain points on the dial. Once you know, you can uninstall the stuff.

 

[72CudaROG]

I have an AAR and a 70 Hemicuda. The AAR has never had any hoses or even the thermostat replaced. The cooling system was flushed when it came out of storage and it runs consistently below half on the temp gauge. The Hemi runs closer to half and it climbs past half when it sits idling. If it idles a really long time it climbs a bit high for my comfort.

You can unscrew the sender and put in a "T" and temporarily run a good direct read temp gauge long enough to see what the gauge in your cluster is really telling you at certain points on the dial. Once you know, you can uninstall the stuff.

I like this idea! That’s what I’ll do.whenever it jumps above half I usually pull over and shut her down. It even did it driving this morning at 75 degrees, so I think I’ve got something going on.

 

[72CudaROG]

Okay just took it out again for longer ride, gauge at 60%, 78F outside. IR top of Rad was 108F, and where gauge threads into housing was 177F, so might be okay, just gauge going a little nuts. Going to get new gauge on it Monday. Thanks guys

 

[moparleo]

Pulling over when it gets just over 1/2 way will actually do more harm then good. You need air flowing through the core to transfer the heat from the coolant. The engine needs to be running to circulate the coolant. Shutting her off just allows the coolant to absorb more heat.
Especially with todays fuels, the engine temps are hotter than 40 years ago, when we had higher octane fuels which burn at a lower temp ( That is why they could run higher compression ratios).
1/2 way on the factory gauge (unless it is defective) is normal.
With the proper mix of distilled water to coolant 50/50 and a working 16 lb. radiator cap, temps of 200°-210° is normal.
At speeds over 45 mph the fans actually have little effect as the speed of the car is now pushing more air than the fans. Electric fans are designed for idle to around town speeds only.

 

[72CudaROG]

Pulling over when it gets just over 1/2 way will actually do more harm then good. You need air flowing through the core to transfer the heat from the coolant. The engine needs to be running to circulate the coolant. Shutting her off just allows the coolant to absorb more heat.
Especially with todays fuels, the engine temps are hotter than 40 years ago, when we had higher octane fuels which burn at a lower temp ( That is why they could run higher compression ratios).
1/2 way on the factory gauge (unless it is defective) is normal.
With the proper mix of distilled water to coolant 50/50 and a working 16 lb. radiator cap, temps of 200°-210° is normal.
At speeds over 45 mph the fans actually have little effect as the speed of the car is now pushing more air than the fans. Electric fans are designed for idle to around town speeds only.

Makes sense- one guy told me to try some 114 octane gas, what do you think about that?

 

[Ele115]

With a Cold Case radiator you should be fine. It may be that your gauge reads 60% when mine would be 45% for the same temp. Put it in your head what that spot on the gauge represents and enjoy the car unless something unusual arises.