TheSamba.com :: View topic - Engine temperature survey, what are you running at?

Mon Sep 16, 2002 11:26 am

On the way up to Jerome (from Phoenix), I did a survey of what everyone's temperatures where at after doing all that climbing. Here is what I found:

The readings were done at the Sunset Point rest stop at 11pm. Outside temp was around 70.

My bus: 66 DLX w/ 1600dp, 34 pict carb & early cooling system- 256 F

63 DLX with bug tranny, 1600dp duel carb (webers I think) & dog house- 271 F

70 Bay panel w/ 1600 dp single 30/31 & doghouse cooler- 245 F

On the way back home, in the afternoon with an outside temp of around 85-90f, here is what I found:

My bus: 257 f

63 DlX with bug tranny- 272 F

64? SC with 1776, single 30/31 carb and doghouse- 224 f

65? kombi with 1776 duel webers, chrome doghouse w/ two external oil coolers- 196 f.

It was good to see where everyone was at in relation to me. I know know that I need to change to a doghouse cooler to get my temps down.

Mon Sep 16, 2002 12:19 pm

'71 Bus w/1776 engine and otherwise stock: 185 degrees driving around town (mid-60s) and on the highway at 90 degrees about 210 to 220.

Mon Sep 16, 2002 2:51 pm

truckersmike, where are you checking the temps at and with what?
My 1776 with a straight axle kit ran 240 in LA going to the clasic with a digital temp gun at an external filter or case. I was not able to the the temp to 205 until I mounted an extra cooler in a spot with good air flow. My engine was mild with 7.5cr.
Bus engine temps make me nervous, I have never had a problem with a bug. That 63 with 271 temp seems high, or I hope so for his sake. If that were true his engine would keep running when he shut it off from my experiance. Hell, all the over 220 deg buses could be hurtin.

Mon Sep 16, 2002 3:12 pm

I did all the checking with a store bought meat thermometer placed inside the dipstick hole. It's pretty accurate. I also run a Gene Berg dipstick that lights my up my oil light when I hit about 230 F. In town, I'm fine but on the freeway, I go right up. When

I got home, my temp was 245 F.

Mon Sep 16, 2002 7:50 pm

'69 Westy: 225 degrees on hot summer days with a max of 250 climbing a steep grade from the Columbia River Gorge on a hot summer afternoon. 185 degrees around town. This was 1680 cc, 7.7:1 CR, Kadrons, 100 cam, Pertonix, set at 7.5 BTDC static timing.