The Ford Barn

1949f1 · 06-10-2016, 05:32 PM

So I've been doing some work on my 53 merc. I've got new thermostats water pumps and I've had the radiator boiled out. I've got a infared thermometer and the heads around the spark plugs are reading around 190. The center at the 8cm is reading 200. Is this about right? The heat gauge is running above three quarters on the stock guage. I have 160 thermostat in it. Thanks!

39topless · 06-10-2016, 06:04 PM

You're cool!

1949f1 · 06-10-2016, 06:07 PM

Thanks! I'm guessing my gauge is wrong? I'm trying to figure out a way to hide an aftermarket guage. Thinking maybe a bracket or something to flip up to hide.

Mike in AZ · 06-10-2016, 07:14 PM

maybe a mechanical gauge from each head mounted on a flip up panel as you said.....Mike

1949f1 · 06-10-2016, 07:27 PM

That's what I was thinking according to the gun it's running 10 degrees colder on the passenger side head. I was hoping that it was the guage I couldn't imagine it was anything else. The guage is reading all the way up to 4 quarters.

tubman · 06-10-2016, 08:40 PM

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I don't have any overheating problems with my '51, but when I got my new infrared thermometer, I read all over the engine, and also found the passenger side was running 10 degrees cooler I think it may have something to do with the heater being on that side, although it wasn't on when I did my checking. Weird.

my4dv8 · 06-10-2016, 10:21 PM

You could hide a gauge behind the sun visor or in the glove box.

RalphG · 06-10-2016, 10:22 PM

Just for comparison I checked my 52 Merc tonight after a good hard quarter mile test run.. The digital infra red showed about 160 on the passenger side head and 170 to 180 on the left side. Heater core is disconnected on this one so not sure why one side would run hotter. Temp gauge on this one usually runs about dead centre or a shade above. No thermostats.

19Fordy · 06-10-2016, 10:26 PM

Your temps are fine. If it don't boil, you are good to go.
Plus, the ambiant temperature in MS is higher than many other states.

41LjH · 06-11-2016, 04:33 AM

consider pulling the sending units and either cleaning or replacing them. Also ground the gauge and look for full deflection. Normally the gauge doesn't need calibration. Remember the wiring is over 60 years old!

1949f1 · 06-11-2016, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 41LjH

consider pulling the sending units and either cleaning or replacing them. Also ground the gauge and look for full deflection. Normally the gauge doesn't need calibration. Remember the wiring is over 60 years old!

I don't know which is worse 60 year old wiring or A J.C. Whitney harness😂😂

Ross F-1 · 06-11-2016, 07:22 PM

Here are readings I took on my engine after a long pull up a hill in 95 deg weather

Location.................... temp
Top tank ....................173-179
DS head (center).............183
PS head (center)..............183
DS thermostat housing .....173
PS thermostat housing.......179

All using an infrared laser heat gun. My dash gauge reads a needle width above center, that's on a 12-to-6 volt converter.

1949f1 · 06-11-2016, 10:24 PM

That's close maybe 10 degrees higher on everything. And like a previous poster said idk about where you live but it's 90 degrees here

1949f1 · 06-11-2016, 10:25 PM

Thanks all for the replies I'm going to play with the heat gauge as suggested and see what I get.

06-10-2016, 05:32 PM	#1
1949f1 Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Winona, Mississippi Posts: 93	Heat! So I've been doing some work on my 53 merc. I've got new thermostats water pumps and I've had the radiator boiled out. I've got a infared thermometer and the heads around the spark plugs are reading around 190. The center at the 8cm is reading 200. Is this about right? The heat gauge is running above three quarters on the stock guage. I have 160 thermostat in it. Thanks!

06-10-2016, 06:04 PM	#2
39topless Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,027	Re: Heat! You're cool!

06-10-2016, 06:07 PM	#3
1949f1 Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Winona, Mississippi Posts: 93	Re: Heat! Thanks! I'm guessing my gauge is wrong? I'm trying to figure out a way to hide an aftermarket guage. Thinking maybe a bracket or something to flip up to hide.

06-10-2016, 07:14 PM	#4
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: Heat! maybe a mechanical gauge from each head mounted on a flip up panel as you said.....Mike

06-10-2016, 07:27 PM	#5
1949f1 Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Winona, Mississippi Posts: 93	Re: Heat! That's what I was thinking according to the gun it's running 10 degrees colder on the passenger side head. I was hoping that it was the guage I couldn't imagine it was anything else. The guage is reading all the way up to 4 quarters.

06-10-2016, 08:40 PM	#6
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,304	Re: Heat! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I don't have any overheating problems with my '51, but when I got my new infrared thermometer, I read all over the engine, and also found the passenger side was running 10 degrees cooler I think it may have something to do with the heater being on that side, although it wasn't on when I did my checking. Weird.

06-10-2016, 10:21 PM	#7
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,111	Re: Heat! You could hide a gauge behind the sun visor or in the glove box.

06-10-2016, 10:22 PM	#8
RalphG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sask. Canada Posts: 2,424	Re: Heat! Just for comparison I checked my 52 Merc tonight after a good hard quarter mile test run.. The digital infra red showed about 160 on the passenger side head and 170 to 180 on the left side. Heater core is disconnected on this one so not sure why one side would run hotter. Temp gauge on this one usually runs about dead centre or a shade above. No thermostats. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/roosty6/videos

06-10-2016, 10:26 PM	#9
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: Heat! Your temps are fine. If it don't boil, you are good to go. Plus, the ambiant temperature in MS is higher than many other states.

06-11-2016, 04:33 AM	#10
41LjH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NW North Carolina Posts: 461	Re: Heat! consider pulling the sending units and either cleaning or replacing them. Also ground the gauge and look for full deflection. Normally the gauge doesn't need calibration. Remember the wiring is over 60 years old! __________________ 3 pedals, 3 gears, no valve-covers.. *Now THAT* is a hot rod** !! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmwwB34vxJE

06-11-2016, 07:22 PM	#12
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,438	Re: Heat! Here are readings I took on my engine after a long pull up a hill in 95 deg weather Location.................... temp Top tank ....................173-179 DS head (center).............183 PS head (center)..............183 DS thermostat housing .....173 PS thermostat housing.......179 All using an infrared laser heat gun. My dash gauge reads a needle width above center, that's on a 12-to-6 volt converter. __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

06-11-2016, 10:24 PM	#13
1949f1 Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Winona, Mississippi Posts: 93	Re: Heat! That's close maybe 10 degrees higher on everything. And like a previous poster said idk about where you live but it's 90 degrees here

06-11-2016, 10:25 PM	#14
1949f1 Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Winona, Mississippi Posts: 93	Re: Heat! Thanks all for the replies I'm going to play with the heat gauge as suggested and see what I get.