MY HG seems to run too hot. My temp gauge reads 220 degrees after it has stabilized. I know the boiling point of antifreeze mix is 2665, but would like to see the engine running below 200. Has a new radiator core, tight belt, etc. It's a '47 model with no water pump.
What is the normal operating temp?
Dick
Your gauge may be off some. I wouldn't worry too much though as long as it's not boiling the water away. Thermosyphon systems have to run pretty hot for the water to circulate.
Since your radiator has a new core, I doubt there is a problem with heat transfer. The front of your radiator isn't covered with seeds, is it? I would say normal temperature with plain water would be just under the boiling point.
Blake
Thanks Blake. I still think I'm going to try to de-sale the engine (only) with radiator flush and/or white vinegar.
Dick
PS: You may remember me from the past. I wrote the article about the model T trans installation. Also, so far not able to do the signature thing, don't know why. Will try again soon.
Oh yes Dick, I remember. I thought the name sounded familiar. Welcome back! The site needs some tweaking as there are minor problems here and there.
I doubt your engine block is scaled because the heat is transferring into the water. The water is just not transferring the heat to the air through the radiator. I just remember years ago when my gramps and I were putting antifreeze in my General. He put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator so it would heat up and start to circulate. The circulation in a thermosyphon system depends on the difference in the density of the coolant at different points in the system. The different densities cause the water to rise in one part and drop in another part. Those differences probably cause the water temperature to be what it is. On a cooler day, the water would probably be cooler too.
Thanks Blake. You just saved me a lot of work.
Dick
My 1947 HG never gets above 180* even on a hot day. It has a thermo siphon system also. I've checked it with 2 different mechanical gauges, so I can't say why yours is running so hot.
By the way, my 1950 JD Model B has the same system, and never gets over 200* under the toughest conditions. I even have to close the shutters when the outside air temp is below 80* or the thing never warms up.
Be sure you have a quality gauge.... there's a lot of junk on the market at the moment.
Dad's HG used to heat up under heavy load; he would stop, lower the blade to raise the front to improve circulation, and let it idle for a bit until the temp dropped. It was 4 - 5 years old then, and the rad core was probably crudded up a bit.
I've found those little $20 pistol infra red thermometers handy to suss out these problems. They are cheap and maybe inaccurate, but can be checked for accuracy quickly by shooting at a boiling pot of water - should read 212. Mine did.