Hello spitters,
as I was the one starting this threat, and I have been back and forth
discussing this with Gary, who's BTW helped me greatly in analyzing my
problems. I want to let the list know, what answers Wilf and I have came up
with, during several days of testing.
The problem showed up when, a few weeks ago, we started to drive our newly
restored 67 Spit. The temp.was sitting on a 80 to 85 % level, with the
thermostat removed, every time I drove the spit, sometimes crawling up to the
red when I had her running at 4500 rpm on a rather cool Canadian day.
As I'm a novice, I have a lot of learning going on at the moment. The list gave
us a lot of valuable info, we therefore started testing.
We installed an electric pusher fan, besides the mechanical, which did bring
the temperature down to some degree, or so it seemed. Still, the Spit was
running much too high.
Before we wanted to remove the rad for re-boring, as suggested by several
people, we flushed the rad. This didn't seem to improve the situation. Next
thing was to test the sensor unit. No problem here. The test of the coolant,
however, gave us a surprise, as it only showed a tem. of 155 F. Hello???? This
is where "our red light" came on.
We decided to test the functioning of the voltage stabilizer, as Jeff Mc. Neill
had suggested to me. We pulled up our reliable Hyundai, connected the
temperature sensor of the Spit to the temperature gauge of the Hyundai. We were
now able to correctly read the temperature of the Spitfire on the Hyundai
gauge. She ran at about 55% at about 3500 rpm, increasing to 60 -65 % at 4000
rpm. That looks pretty decent to me. We didn't test any higher.
Well, I think, we found our problem. A new voltage stabilizer is already on
order.
This still leaves us to question the condition of the old original rad. I think
I'll have it checked.
Gary mentioned the effectiveness of the two fans, one maybe interfering with
the air flow of the other, since we, at this time, have no shrouds in place.
Thanks to Neil Penberthey [welcome to the list of nutties btw], for bringing up
the oil cooler. It's something I wasn't aware of, and it's something I will
certainly look into. Living in the great white North, we don't often have to
deal with extremely hot weather conditions. But, on occasion, we get a "blast
of heat" during the summer month.. It would be of interest to hear from
Northerners regarding this subject.
Thanks Gary and all the other people who kindly helped me out.
Now on to the stirring problem, which is also giving me head aches. Oh, this
wonderful job NEVER STOPS, and.........
I'm just loving it.....
Liv Haasper
CCC
addicted, me thinks.......
gjdurham@juno.com wrote:
> Hi, George (& Mike):
>
> The 'other post' re the running temperature of a Spit was probably me. It
>would be helpful to you perhaps (?), as with anyone else, if things were kept
>in context... kind of 'thought through', if you will (no offense or 'slight'
>intended, here). I made a reference to the FACT that a Spitfire is factory
>built to run NORMAL temperature reading at the 3/4 mark of the guage. This is
>nothing to be astonished about, unless of course you're relatively new to
>Spits, and especially if you've NEVER READ THE MANUAL (i.e. done the
>'homework', instead relying on just asking people, much like just asking
>questions of this list all the time, rather than at least TRYING to look it
>up/solve yourself before asking for advise).
>
> During this time of the season, my stock Spit runs about 1/4, possibly 3/8
>max, presumably (by me) much like everyone else's. If you re-read my original
>post (I don't save anything, sorry) I'm sure I probably mentioned that in very
>hot, humid summer temperatures, the car will run about 75-80% of the guage
>towards hot. Per the factory manual (and well over twenty years personal
>experience), this is not something that has ever been of any concern to me
>(well, it was when I was a young kid, still wet behind the ears ;-) I also
>probably mentioned that, on those high humidity and high temperature days,
>that the guage would read so high as to... "scare the be-Jesus out of you" (at
>least I think I said that).
>
> Personally, I have a theory that this may be one reason why there's been such
>a sudden prevalency in the purchasing of oil coolers, electric fans, etc., as
>some people don't understand it's normal at that reading.
>
> Now, don't get me wrong, it's a pretty much self taught 'common sense' thing.
> Driving style, autocross, rally, geographical location, and a million more
>reasons. One example is the gentleman from England who recently stated that
>he added an oil cooler as he's living in Texas. Well, good GOD, man, SO WOULD
>I! Texas is pretty damned hot and humid, eh, compared to the midlands of
>England?
>
> There's NOTHING wrong with any individual wanting/desiring to add electronic
>cooling fans (hey, they ARE more efficient!) to their Spit, or adding an oil
>cooler (hey, they WORK!), to their car. Whether the car needs it or not, it's
>OK if someone wants these upgrades (again, people, please don't get me
>wrong... I'm sure that everyone who HAS upgraded did so correctly, and for
>justifiable reasons, OK?)
>
> What I had hoped to convey, was that the radiator should be completely and
>INCONTROVERTIBLY ruled the 'culprit' prior to just arbitrarily 'upgrading'
>it... certainly all might see the sense/logic in this? Anyway, I also pointed
>out... and this is of paramount importance... that a 75-80% reading on the
>temp guage in 45F weather IS cause for concern (or words to that effect),
>ESPECIALLY with two (2) fans being utilized.
>
> There are a million factors that can contribute to an engine running hot. I,
>personally, live in a cooler climate (Wisconsin... DAMNED COLD in winter!),
>and deliberatly have my Spit run hotter in winter (even 'tho the guages read
>lower due to the ambient air temperature flowing through the radiator), then
>adjust it accordingly in the spring. Why? Hey, even a trickle of mildly warm
>air is appreciated when it's -15F, with a -65F wind chill (yes, I said -65F
>windchill)
>
> Anyway, my entire point (or at least one point) is to take comments from a
>lister such as myself as a 'generalization' rather than a rule, unless talking
>specific 'specs (i.e. engine clearances). If you're in Florida, for example,
>I have no way of completely ascertaining a 'perfect answer' for you, and
>vice-versa (indeed, in some respects/topics, be wary of those who CAN offer
>perfect advise from thousands of miles away, sight unseen from your specific
>vehicular problems).
>
> Again, I'm sure you've read your manuals both forward and backwards many
>times... much as most of us have... but that's one heck of a lot to ask anyone
>to memorize EVERYTHING. If you go to it and look it up, I'm confident that
>you'll have no problem finding that 3/4, or even a bit hotter, is normal,
>especially in very hot and humid conditions (and then especially if stuck in
>stopped rush hour traffic as your car over-heats!). This info is info that
>Triumph provided years ago... not 'word of mouth'... or speculation because
>modern cars only run at the 1/2 range on their guages. There's a million
>differing factors. Obviously. Different model Spitfire? Different Mk?
>Different year with subsequently an entirely different radiator? Different
>thermostat range? etc.
>
> So, hope this may be of some help, and REALLY hope it doesn't come across in
>anything like a 'lecture' mode. Anyway, if everything is operational, and in
>normal conditions, don't feel astonished if your reading is above the 1/2 way
>mark later this summer.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Gary
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