running hot
 

Our 21 year old daughter, Suze, just bought a '65 Mustang. Really sharp. It's a 289 with auto transmission, 4-barrel. Water temperature gauge was showing 220-225 degrees last night on interstate after a few miles of running at 70 mph. Suze pulled off the interstate and we went to check on her. Radiator was not boiling over and antifreeze level was fine. Car was running ok and no knocks. What is considered too high a temperature?

Re: running hot
 

220 is getting hot. I would check out the whole cooling system make sure everything is working ok.

Re: running hot
 

What was the ambient temp? On July 4 days here in Houston at 100F, my car will hit 200-220 in a traffic jam. Normally runs 180-200F.

Rev

Re: running hot
 

Not sure about the "ambiiant" temp. Suze drove the car to Murfreesboro last night, about an hour's trip. It's been hot here, too, and temps are in the 90's till sun goes down. She called when she arrived at her destination last night and said the gauge showed 210 at its highest. She stayed off interstate and went the state route since it was showing 220-230 when traveling at 70 mph.

Also talked to my 84 year old Dad yesterday who's a mechanic. He thinks since it's not boiling over and antifreeze level looked good, that there's not much of a problem.

Thanks for the reply and info.

Re: running hot
 

Yep, "ambient temperature" (temperature of medium surrounding object) is hotter 'n heck around here.

Re: running hot
 

Maybe you need to check and see if the car has a radiator shroud and maybe change the thermostat. My 67 was heating up also this this sure helped my heating problem.

Re: running hot
 

Had a problem heating up my '68 coupe. Here in Bakersfield CA it will be 105 today. So The outside temp does contribute to the problem. Check the hoses. Especially the bottom hose from radiator to block. I felt mine and it was a bit mushy. What was happening is that the water pump was sucking coolant from the radiator and this hose was partially collapsing, restricting or even cutting off circulation. The car was gettijng hot, and the top hose and top of radiator tank were hot, but the radiator fins and bottom hose were still cool. Changed this hose and things are good now. Still runs at 200 but not 250..........

Shroud is definately needed if you dont have one. Also go with a steel fan and not one of the newer flex type.

Re: running hot
 

Sounds like a bad radiator to me. :)

Re: running hot
 

Hello,
If I were her I would also probably invest in an electric fan to go along with the belt driven fan. Just stick the fan in front of the radiator, and if your thermostat is working right, she should stay cool all the time. 220 is a little to hot to be running though, even if she bought a fan she should check the cooling system for problems.
Mustangmatt89

Re: running hot
 

You say she just bought it. Do you know if the guage is reading correctly???