VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Thermastat upgrade/increase

I am considering running a 190-195 degree thermastat, anyone else running there 216-235 at the higher temp?

Because 195 Deg. is so close to the 212 at sea level boiling point a few modifications may be necessary.....A 15 pound pressure cap, an overflow tank, and 50/50 anti-freeze mix.
The 15 pound cap and 50/50 mix will raise the boiling point to around 240 Deg.-1947 radiator filler neck not designed for pressure cap.
With the engine running at 195 a little period of idleing , like gettting caugt in a traffic jamb, will have the temp. up to 212 in very short order.
I run 160's in my cars and they don't get driven in cold weather. Personaly 180 would be as high as I would go with a 1947 cooling system....and with a 50/50 coolant mixture.

Just for grins, is there a reason you'd like to run the car hotter?

Well, lets think about this some more.

If the cooling capacity is sufficient to keep the temperature below 190 without the thermostat then it will keep it at 190 with a 190 thermostat. What would cause it to rise above the thermostat rating.

If the condition of the cooling system is not adequate then, given time, idling and any other driving condition may cause the temperature to rise above the boiling point. The temperature rating of the thermostat won't matter.

In the instant case, we can assume that the thermostat will be fully open at 190. There will be more than sufficient water flow by it. That's where the temperature will stay unless something else is involved.

The reason for the higher temperature thermostat is that oil doesn't start doing its best job until it reaches around 190 degrees. That makes sense. It makes no sense to run without a thermostat or one that is rated way too low. Law of diminishing returns in either direction. 190 is a good temperature for crankcase lubricating in our old engines. Above 190-195 adds little value, if any.

Remember the engine is not an animal but a mechanical machine with a cooling system that has been engineered to adequately handle the heat it produces. Don't think of it as you would a horse. What would seem too hot for you, as an animal, may feel just right for the engine. Think of your engine in terms of Goldilocks and the three bears. She (your engine) wanted the porridge just right, not too hot and not too cold.

My two cents worth.

Charlie

From my experiances I would be a lot happier if I were tooling along the Interstate on a 85 Deg. day with my temp. gauge showing 160 Deg. and I saw a long line of stopped traffic ahead than I would be with it reading 195 Deg. prior to the stoppage.

Gene,

Assuming that my cooling system is in good order, it would not bother me none in the least.

If it's going to boil over, it won't be because of the thermostat unless it's defective. I trust that we are assuming here in this thread that the thermostat is or will be a good one.

If there is some problem with the heating system, that will mean it will take maybe two minutes longer for the engine to go from 160 (which is much too cold) to 195 and then about the same time there on to the boiling point.

If you are in parking lot (stopped or dragalong traffic) too long there are alternatives:

a. Get on the shoulder and proceed on to where you are going or to an exit.

b. Shut the engine down.

c. Pull off on the shoulder and break out the cooler, the barbeque grill, some wieners and and have a tailgate party. Have plenty of wieners because pretty soon you have company.

d. For old folks like you and me, once on the shoulder shut her down and take a nap.

Charlie

I wouldn't try what you suggest when traveling on a busy interstate or going on the interstae through Chicago as an example....been there and done that.
I will back-up and say the 1947 cooling system is not designed to run at 195 Deg. at a constant rate. Also there is no advantage in running the engine at that high of a temp. in the summer.

Do YOU know why they run cars hotter now then in 1947? just for grins

Cars do run hotter now for several good reasons...up tp 260 Deg. before boiling. This requires a higher pressure radiator cap, cooling fans and the correct mix of anti-freeze and a reserve tank for expansion when all else fails.

Yes.... but what are the good reasons???

To my knowledge the reason for 200+ degree operating temps on newer cars is primarily due to emissions regulations. The hotter the engines run, the leaner they run and consequently the cleaner the tailpipe emissions. Motors and exhaust gases and catalytic converters are more efficient when hot.

Many newer cars are also running 0w20 oil. It doesn't mean that's the 'best' for the car in the long run.

All internal combustion engines run best at 180 deg.

Maybe in 1947, I'm changing the rad cap neck,rad cap, thermastat to 190 degree and start to enjoy a cleaning running engine,better mileage,hotter heater,.You guys can keep living in the past.lol

Being from northern N.H. where it often was below zero I ran a 190 stat and still had to put a cardboard in front of the radiator to get good/better heat on my 54. Changed it out to a 160 in the warmer weather ( 4th of July).

Internal combustion engines are more efficient the higher the temperature. Since efficiency is gas mileage manufacturers try to run them as high temperature as practical. Damage to engine metal parts (like valves, valve seats, pistons), gasket deterioration, pre-ignition, dieseling, oxidation of coolant, corrosion, lubricant deterioration are all limitations. Major strides have been made in the last 30 years to increase internal engine temperature. Fuel injection, computer control, improved coolants, better oils are a few of them.

Naturally we are living in the past. If we were up-to-date we wouldn't be fooling around with old cars

Be sure to let us know how that works out for you.

I'D SAY IT'S A PERSONAL CHOICE. DO WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST FOR
YOU........