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Old 06-29-2009, 09:03 PM
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DocDirk DocDirk is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Merced, Ca
Cobra Make, Engine: West Coast-Ford Performance Solutions 533 BB
Posts: 390
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Question How high a steady temp is safe to run?

Yesterday the temp topped 105F as is often does in the summer here. I took the cobra out for a cruise midafternoon and it rose gently to stop at 210F fully hot and running on the freeway after 20-25 minutes. In town traffic caused it to rise a bit further to about 215F. Oil pressure dropped from usual 38-40# running down to about 32# while running, 20# idling.


I've optimized the cooling system by every possible move short of shrouding the front to the radiator which I will soon be doing and in ambient temps under 95F it runs very nicely from 185-195F.


Summers are really hot here; I know some of you Texans and Arizonans have high temp outdoors experience...how high can I run a stable temp. without harming the engine? Should I be measuring oil temp too? Cylinder head temps?

Thanks for any replies!

Dirk
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Last edited by DocDirk; 06-29-2009 at 09:06 PM..
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