High Oil Temps

Lardyfella · #1 (**permalink**) 05-26-2012, 06:30 AM

G'Day,
I have done an oil change on my 427 engine and obviously changed the oil filter at the same time. The engine was running on Joe Gibbs 15W-50 (HR-1) when it was in Ohio USA but its now in Dubai UAE. Here we dont have Joe gibbs oil so i changed it to Motul (300V) oil which is still 15W-50.
I have noticed now that the the oil temp is fluctuating alot depending how much go pedal i'm pushing. If i'm cruising at 100mph or accelerating alot the temp will go up to 135 degrees. If i cruise at 90mph it will come down to about 125. Cruising at anything lower it still stays around the 115 to 120 mark.The ambient temperatures are quite high (44 degrees at present) as we are in the sand pit here but the water temp is unchanged from winter.
I changed the Wix oil filter with the same number filter but there was "racing" mentioned on one and not on the other. Could this be an issue?

392cobra · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2012, 06:55 AM

Sounds pretty high to me.

Do you have an oil cooler on it ? If not I would sure consider it.
111 F is on the warm side.

Lardyfella · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2012, 07:04 AM

392cobra,
Yeah i have an oil cooler on it and prior to the oil change the temp was fine at around 100 max.
The other issue i am having is the alternator keeps quitting on me. Its a powermaster and its impossible for me to find a replacement locally. The car will obviously run fine as long as the battery power is ok so i charge it every night at the moment but i was wondering if maybe not having the alternator charging may be giving a false reading on the dial? What do you reckon to that theory?
Do you know anywhere good to get a new Alternator by any chance.
Thanks.

392cobra · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2012, 07:13 AM

When did you powermaster start acting up in relation to the oil change ?

I can see your theory being correct. Electrical problems,charging & grounds,can play havoc with gauges.
You will have to mail-order one is my bet.

I worked out of Dubai in 1978. Damn it gets hot !

CHANMADD · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2012, 08:36 AM

Average race track oil temp is between 250f and 300f, .......230f is the average temp at which you would think about adding a oil cooler. I dont think you have anythingbto worry about besides the alternator, which will sutely give you problems with readings. On the battery only you will be running at about 10 to 11 volts, whereas when the alternator is charging there will be about 14 volts in the system

Lardyfella · #6 (**permalink**) 05-28-2012, 12:12 PM

Thanks for your comments. I think that looking into the filter details i may have solved the issue. The part 51515 and 51515R have both got different flow rates, one is 7-9 GPM and the R version is up to 28GPM. Less oil flow will increse the oil temp i think, sods law though they dont have R versions in Dubai !! Arrggh.
Your right on the heat here 392cobra, i have lived here since 1980 and still not used to the summers. My cobra will be hibernating over the summer which is why i want to get the alternator, tires and filters etc ont the way over now so they will be ready for the next season. Do you think Summits good for the Alternator?

Gaz64 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2012, 02:15 AM

I find it hard to believe that your oil temp went up from 100 to 135 changing from Joe Gibbs to Motul.

Motul is a good oil, I would get a much better oil filter, and a bigger oil cooler with a thermostat.

And I wouldn't trust any non-stepper motor electrical gauge.

madmaxx · #8 (**permalink**) 05-29-2012, 05:35 AM

Usually difference in oil filters is bypass setting. Royal purple oil filters are best on market. Your oil is way to thick. Has your oil pressure changed with temp?

392cobra · #9 (**permalink**) 05-29-2012, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lardyfella

Thanks for your comments. I think that looking into the filter details i may have solved the issue. The part 51515 and 51515R have both got different flow rates, one is 7-9 GPM and the R version is up to 28GPM. Less oil flow will increse the oil temp i think, sods law though they dont have R versions in Dubai !! Arrggh.
Your right on the heat here 392cobra, i have lived here since 1980 and still not used to the summers. My cobra will be hibernating over the summer which is why i want to get the alternator, tires and filters etc ont the way over now so they will be ready for the next season. Do you think Summits good for the Alternator?

Over the years I've ordered from Summit and also Jeg's with no problems.Either will be able to get you the better oil filters and the high output alternator.

gerry.witt19 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-24-2012, 11:28 PM

Motul is a good option. using it from long time now im satisfied with the performance i get. Also used it for GSX-1000 R performance was delivered up to the mark.

Lardyfella · #11 (**permalink**) 07-16-2012, 11:37 AM

Latest update :- I got the same filter now as came with the car from the states which is a Wix racing filter 51515R, still got the 15W-50 motul oil in the car, Replaced the alternator with a new powermaster and also the voltage regulator incase there was a problem with it. The temperatures are high here now in the summer and also the humidity is higher. In the mornings and evenings when i am using the car now its 35 to 40C. The car seems to run around the 110 t0 120 F range but as soon as i give it some stick it quickly raises up to 135F ! If i ease of and cruise for a bit it will drop back to the 120F range. Is this normal? The guage only goes to 140!! I am also sure it never went this high before. I know the oil grade has been mentioned before that its too thick but the guy who built then engine told me to keep using it for the moment as its only done 8,000 miles. All advice welcome.

jhv48 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-16-2012, 12:25 PM

Just a thought, have you checked the accuracy of the gauge/sending unit?

RET_COP · #13 (**permalink**) 07-16-2012, 03:25 PM

My coolant temp was 10* hotter going from Joe Gibbs 10-30 synthetic Hot Rod oil to Gibbs 15-50 conventional. My oil temp went up accordingly. My oil pressure also went up 5lbs. because of the resistance that wasn't needed. ( stock clearances)
I am now back to Joe Gibbs 10-30 synthetic.
Go to a lower viscosity oil within the limits of adequate oil pressure and the temps will come down.

Rick Parker · #14 (**permalink**) 07-16-2012, 07:35 PM

Lardy: The difference in the flow rates will definately impact your temps. The root cause for this is the filter media is finer (filter out smaller particles) on the non "R" filter, thus causing more flow resistance. Wix is a good filter either way.

WildBill1965 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-16-2012, 08:23 PM

Check out your gage accurecy as said before. Mine is off 20* mecanical gage, 100*c is actually only 80*c taken at the same place as the probe with a infered gun. I would check this first!

B i l l

PLDRIVE · #16 (**permalink**) 07-16-2012, 08:35 PM

I find it hard to give any advice on your oil question. U did not give any info on the engine? What is the engine FE,Windsor? Is this a race engine? When u say "crusing at 90 or 100" what rpms are u turning? Please give more information.

Is the Powermaster ALt. a Single wire? If so it my not be grounding well. Add a ground strap. Solve this first then see if your oil temp gage is in error. Plug in mechanical oil temp gage and see what the temp reads.