“Normal” model a temp
 

I know there are many variables but, what would the typical model a temperature be when driving on flat land in mid 80 degree weather. Stock engine with the exception of the weber downdraft carburetor. Im running close to 190 coming out of the engine block. Not sure of the temp going in. I have adjusted my advance without much luck. My radiator does appear to be original and has a pretty good collection of grime inside of it. Im thinking it might be time to have it cleaned out. Or is this a normal summertime temp for these cars? I do have the hood off of this car while i work the bugs out (easier access to engine with hood off) could this be effecting the cooling abilities? The car also has engine pans which i thought i heard helps the car run cooler but im assuming the hood would need to be on for the pans to make a difference. Anyone have any ideas?

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

I'd get a laser thermometer, not expensive, and monitor the front and back of the block as well as the top, bottom and outlet of the radiator. You could compare that to other cars, but there's a lot of variables there. I'll try to shoot some temps for comparison, and maybe others could do so as well.

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

Your temperatures sound a bit high. I have a Model A with a new radiator with the hood installed that runs at 155 F. You could try to flush it out but the radiator is probably choked with rust, dirt and water pump grease which is stuck in the core and cannot be removed unless you remove the top tanks and push out the grease with a rod. Flushing will only clean out the most open tubes leaving the debris in the clogged tubes. Ed

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

Are you running antifreeze ? Water will cool better by 20* and add water wetter it will run 30* cooler. Water wetter is a seal lub and anti corrosion additive

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

I always heard 160 to 180 is perfect.

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

I also run my Coupe with plastic fan at about 155. Goes up to 160-170 when pulling long hill. I think running at 160 is about ideal. 180 or under is fine.

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

I know a guy that works at a radiator shop and was saying they have a tank that they dip the radiators in. Pretty sure it was high temp and some sort of chemical to aid in getting the grease and other deposits loosened. Im thinking this might be worth a shot. Especially since he offered to do it for free. Has anyone else tried this or is this a bad idea with old radiators?

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

Its a good idea and the price is right.

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

I would think what the piston manufacture recommends when the piston is round,
I bet it's closer too 180-190 degrees..

djm

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

Without a thermostat on an 80 degree day, I am getting about 150-160 just this week-end. I took my 160 degree thermostat out at least for the summer. It is great in the winter and keeps the car just right on 160 for the most part. However, even when fully open on hot days, the temps were creeping up past 180 and I have been worried that when it gets over 95 to 100, I am going to be in "hot water" so to speak. Pun intended. In looking at the thermostat, the wide open opening is just a fraction of the total size of the upper radiator hose, which is where my thermostat has been.



The 150 or so temp at 80 degree ambient is with a new (2 years old) radiator from Brassworks.

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

I've saved a few radiators using an industrial hot water pressure washer with degreaser chemical. it takes about 15 minutes to get the core good and hot and I work it both both ways. Water pump grease and dirt will break down, it takes a little time.

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

The Model A cooling system was advertised as being a combination water pump and thermosyphon system. The thermosyphon pumping is driven by hot coolant in the engine so it won't pump until the coolant gets hot. So it works like a thermostat. On my Model T this worked very well to keep the engine at about 180 F. There is no water pump on a stock Model T. On a Model A I am not sure how much the water pump contributes to the coolant circulation but probably more than half.

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

I like to run any engine around 180°.

Years ago my old uncle Paul told me "the hotter the better, as long as they're not boiling".

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

180-190 is a perfect temperature.

Anything cooler than that just isn't hot enough to burn off the bad stuff in the oils.

It is bad especially for those that do a lot of short runs at 145-150.

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

I havent had a a boil over or steam event yet. I think i’ll try some radiator flush solutions and see how things go. Then when winter strikes i will remove the radiator and have it flushed professionally. I was researching what the radiator shops use in the heated dunk tanks and it seams to be pretty much lye. Has anyone tried adding lye to the radiator to flush it? Im thinking if i drain the antifreeze and then fill the cooling system with water i could then ad lye (powdered drano) and drive the car for a while. Wouldnt this in a roundabout way be similar to dunking the radiator in a hot lye bath? Or would this be a recipe for disaster for seals in the motor?

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

Ran water for the last four months checking for leaks after motor work.
Drained and flushed then 50/50 mix poured in (a week ago)
Went from running at 150-160 to now 170-185
Guess it's true what they say bout the antifreeze / temp issue

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

We had an old John Deere Model A that had no water pump. just the thermosyphon system. It kept the tractor operating, but the water and radiator was Damn Hott. We pulled a 4 bottom 14" plow, THAT was a heck of a load for that size tractor. You knew you were running too fast when the water started boiling over. Dad also said he wanted the water as hot as possible as long as it isnt boiling out.
I'm in NO WAY experienced with Ford Model A's, but I think they were supposed to run hot, just not boiling over. I remember reading Hemmingway talk about riding a model A bus and having to stop at the top of every hill to let her "blow", just like a mule.

Re: “Normal” model a temp
 

First real test with my new Bergs radiator. I drove up the grade on 421 towards Boone. This is a 4 1/2 mile 8% grade. The temperature today was in the high 70's. The car has a 160 degree thermostat that has been modified with 6 holes 1/4-inch in diameter in the flange. The temperature gauge is off of the outlet pipe at the top of the head. I am running 50/50 antifreeze/water.

The coolant temperature reached 180 degrees and the Motometer fluid reached about 1/3 of the way up. I was in 3rd gear with the pedal to the metal and the GPS at 48 mph.

Back on the flats the coolant temperature was 140 and the fluid in the Motometer nowhere in sight. I stopped and measured various temperatures with my IR thermometer. The head was at 168 F and the oil pan at 205 F.

So the coolant temperature on my car is not the same as the temperature of the engine. Seems the thermostat must be doing something. Maybe moving the thermometer bulb to the head would be a good idea.