Smith Guages

[mark_n2]

I noticed the oil and water temperature guages have a dot just below and just above 70 Celsius as if to indicate this is the normal operating temperature. This is only 160 Fahrenheit and well below what I have setup my car to run at which is 90 to 100 Celsius for both oil and water. Just an observation on my part, welcome any comments.

Second question- is it possible to recalibrate the speedometer? Apparantly mine is a few miles an hour short of my actual speed, at least according to the Officer I was speaking with Sunday morning...

[claytonsperf]

160 F is best for optimum power and you should try and keep water and oil temps as close as possible. Also you maybe able to change the speedo gear in the trans if you are way off at the speedo.

[mark_n2]

Understand for pwr, but oil needs to be kept at a minimum of 180F with 230F max (82C to 99C). Optimum range is 190 to 210F for engine life although 220F is considered normal for todays engines. I also agree that the two, oil and water, need to be as close as possible so oil termperature would be the determining factor. I have a Roush 427 small block that settles in nicely around 90 to 95C for both water and oil even on the hottest days.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by mark_n2

Understand for pwr, but oil needs to be kept at a minimum of 180F with 230F max (82C to 99C). Optimum range is 190 to 210F for engine life although 220F is considered normal for todays engines. I also agree that the two, oil and water, need to be as close as possible so oil termperature would be the determining factor. I have a Roush 427 small block that settles in nicely around 90 to 95C for both water and oil even on the hottest days.

I'm not sure what the purpose of the dot on the gauge is (maybe just a quick reference point), but your operating temps seem perfect. I normally block my oil cooler off during the winter and remove the block from April through the end of the fall.

[patrickt]

The two dots above and below 70 degrees mean absolutely nothing. Ignore them.

[mickmate]

ERA to the rescue once again.
http://www.erareplicas.com/427man/gearing/spd_gears.htm

[patrickt]

Even with the correct speedo gear the Smiths speedometers are hit-and-miss and inconsistent at best. I almost never look at mine except to see if it's working. Instead, I use my tachometer, which is pretty accurate, and just do the math in your head. You get used to it pretty quickly.