Running Temp for a 258

[srpez]

I picked up a '76 J-10 with a 6cyl 258 a month ago and I'm trying to get it running the way it's supposed to (at least the way I think it's supposed to). When I get warmed up and running the temp gauge stays at the 1/2 or just slightly higher... doesn't go past that, but that seems a little high. Should I be sweatin' this? I flushed the radiator and put a new thermostat, but no change. It does have an exhaust manifold crack that's blowing straight down from the center of the manifold, could this be giving me high temp readings (or higher temps)?

[kyjman]

My 258 runs almost to the half mark in the heat of summer, and about the quarter mark other times. I dont know if thats normal but its run that way for the past 4 years. In the winter I barely get enough heat out of it to keep from freezing. I'd like that to be better.

[Brown Bear]

Originally posted by kyjman:
My 258 runs almost to the half mark in the heat of summer, and about the quarter mark other times. I dont know if thats normal but its run that way for the past 4 years. In the winter I barely get enough heat out of it to keep from freezing. I'd like that to be better.Move back to KY :D

[AMC258]

I don't trust any of the stock instruments, I'd invest in an aftermarket unit, or an oil/water combo, that way you know for sure.

[kyjman]

Hey Brown Bear.........you guys got more snow and bad weather than we did in Wisconsin this year. I'll be in the bluegrass (Versailles) from 5-7 through 5-11....wife is getting her Masters from UK, and we may have a new grandbaby by then also.

[Jeepzilla]

My 81 runs at 195 degrees. On the dash guage that is about one needle width into the green. If you put in a new thermostat and your reading on the guage is consistent, what's wrong with that? Better to take the coolant's temperature and compare that to the value of the thermostat. Then you will have "calibrated" your guage, and can trust its reading. I used the thermometer from my turkey fryer setup.

The reading is constant. My heater will roast me out. Trouble could be in the damper, ductwork or core is the coolant is at the correct temp.

[ April 26, 2003, 06:50 PM: Message edited by: Jeepzilla ]

[Stuka]

Thus far mine has nevere gotten over 1/4 way. But i think one of the PO's (not preacher, guy before him) took the thermostat out, as it takes forever for it to warm up.

[desert_freak]

Mine kept running a little warmer and warmer, had awesome radiator built and now it barely gets into the green zone and mine is TIRED (read uses almost as much oil as gas and gets maybe 5-6 mpg with the carter yf!). Oh I should mention the water pump and thermostat were replaced several months before the radiator. No fan clutch either.

P.J.