new engine temp?

[alinski]

Hi-My 1986 Ranger-2.3, EFI, 177,000 mi died very unexpectedly recently. It had been running just great and one day kaboom. My local garage had a heck of a time finding someone who actually had, IN STOCK, a rebuilt which is the way I had decided to go. I finally got the truck today with a nice Jasper rebuild in it. ($3800.00 all told!)

After getting home, while idling I stuck my meat thermometer in the radiator-I kind of have an over the top fear of heat related issues-and the temp was 170 degrees although initially it was up to 180. One of the things I loved about my old engine was that it always ran cool-155 with the same testing technique.

I'm rambling a bit due to the excitement of getting my truck back-sorry. The temp gauge is about 1/3 of the way up. After all of that , lol, is my temp too high? Thanks for your patience!

 

[kemo]

Not sure what you are worried about, most thermostats don't even fully open until 180-190. When you have steam coming out, then you have a problem with running hot.

If you are REALLY worried about it, get a temp gauge that has numbers on it instead of C and H. They are cheap and easy to install... especially on a fresh engine.

 

[alinski]

Lol, yeah but I really don't want to wait until steam is coming out! But yes, that makes sense with the thermostat. That's why I postdr the question. Thanks!

 

[kemo]

It's all good, your original OE thermostat should be 195 degrees.