Engine Running Temp question

[1969RR]

I have a 69 Road Runner with a 383HP, torker, 650 holley, stock bottom end, ported heads, 292x509 MP cam, 4 speed.. I have a new HD 3 core 26 in radiator, 160 thermostats and timing at 38 degrees total. On the highway on a 80 deg day it will run at 170 - 175 deg going 65 mph. Around town it will run a little cooler, my question is, at times as I increase from 65 to 75 mph it will rise to about 180 deg.

I know on a real bad day at 80 - 90 deg in very humid weather it will go to about 185 - 195. Is this the best I can expect and should I be trying to get this to run cooler? I like to see low temps... I have not tried "water wetter" yet, does that work???

[DartMan360]

190-195 is fine on a hot humid day. Our dart runs 190 on a hot day. I dont worry till it starts coming up on 200. Now out Convertable has a 1977 360 that runs 200-205. We thought something was wrong but Mopar said that is normal for that year of 360. So I would say your fine right were your at. Their is a lot of guys that wish their car ran these kind of temps.

[1969RR]

Thanks!! My Jeep runs a 200 - 210 most of the time in any weather that I don't even give another thought to. I'm glad to hear I'm on the good end of the scale. I think I may put in that water wetter anyway just to be safe. I don't want to be paranoid but, I can help myself worrying about the runner. Can you tell I love the car?

Thanks Again
Nick

[DartMan360]

Tell me about it. The first time we took the convertable for a cruise and the temp got up to 210 it got a little scary. One of the guys we cruise and race with has a viper. He said the first time he took it out the temp got up to 240. He stoped and called the dealership and they said it was normal. Thats enough to freak anyone out when you look down and your brand new viper is running 240.

[1969RR]

240 deg!!! WOW At that temp even if the dealer told me it was normal, I would still eyeball it and worry as well. You know dealers, tell the customer what ever will shut them up..

240 in my mind is too high, what did thay do, re-engineer the boiling point of water?

[DartMan360]

Even the book said that it should run between 235 and 240. He has had it since spring and drives it all the time. And has had no problems. If he does it's under wanrenty so hes not to worried about it.

[1969RR]

I beleave you, being the nut that I am, I would be the one sweating at 240 deg

I love cars!! Good thing my wife loves me so much

[1969RR]

One other thing, have you ever used that water wetter?

[DartMan360]

We thought about it. A couple of people that we have talked to said that they didnt get that big drop like they say you get. On average i think they got about 5deg. So its up to you. Its hard to find here.

[1969RR]

Thanks for the info. You have also helped me in the past. When you have time, send me a pic of your ride (or in your case, ride's) and I will post them on my guest page.

thanks again, catch you on the rebound.

[DartMan360]

I will send you some pics. These are all of my dads cars expect for one of the durangos which is my moms. My personal ride as of now is the mini trail. Hey it gets great gas millage. It can go 3 weekends at the track one 1 gallon of gas. And it gets a work out. We orderd a pic of the hardtop doing a burnout. That will be the most recent pic since the paint job. So when I get that pic and get it scanned I will send them of both cars. No problem with the help.

I try and give my opinon or help someone when they need it. Their is a guy at the track we race at with a duster. He has a 340 .30 over. It was done rite. He was spraying it with a 150hp shot in second and third gear. He was only running 12.80's on the bottle. I was wathing him adjust the timing and seen that he had it up around 42. Told him he should take it down to 36 and see what happens. He just kinda looked at me with one of those looks cuz Im only 16. Well he did and ran 11.90's without the juice. Everytime he needs something he calls on me. So I try and help everyone out the best I can.

Ill will get those pics to you soon.

[1969RR]

Well, I have been around cars a long time and I want to tell you something. You may only be 16 but you have that smarts of someone that has been around cars for 20 years. Your dad has done well with passing hi knowledge along.

[DartMan360]

I spend most of my time in the garage. Lot of the things I have learned is by the expirence. I also read up on everything I can. Between my dad and close friends of the family and track time I have learned alot. My ultimate goal is drive in top fuel. Talk to you laters. I will let you know when i get those pics done.

[Duster_340]

HI RR-Water Whetter does work-dropped my temp by 10 degrees at least in my 340.
For summer use only-run distilled water, water whetter and about a 30% antifreeze mix.
Mopar to ya,