Normal engine temp

[acdc96]

Well when I was letting my engine run and doing some performance checks, I noticed that the block was really warm so I looked at the temp gauge and it said somewhere around 160 degrees and it I checked back after a little bit and it climbed to 180 degrees so I shut the engine off and waited a half hour for it to cool off and I drain all the hoses and block and manifold. It was a little rust colored but no big chunks. I took the riser off and flushed those and their where a lot of chunks in their. So I flushed the manifold as well. Painted the risers with rustoleum engine paint and put it back on with new gaskets. I pored 6 gallons of water mixed with a little vinegar (1 pint for the 6 gallons) drained the block after a half hour and flushed it again with plain water.
I hooked up everything and started the motor and let it run at idle for 30 min and it shot back up to 165 degrees.
When I had the boat in the water 8 years ago the normal temp was between 140 and 170 degrees at cruising speed. (Around 30 mph).

So is this normal temp for my engine?

I just replaced the water pump in the drive and it pumps water just fine. Newer thermostat. New riser gaskets. Clean water pump with new gaskets on engine.
1986 mercruiser 260hp V8

 

[agallant80]

Re: Normal engine temp

160 is normal. I have seen it creep up idling at the dock. I have seen one side get hotter than the other I just rev the motor a bit and it cools back down.

 

[acdc96]

Re: Normal engine temp

Ok.
It's not in the water yet but it's on the trailer

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Normal engine temp

Keep in mind that neither the Thermostat or your Temperate Gauge and Sender are precision devices.
The thermostat opens at 160 deg, more or less, and the gauge is reading 180, more or less.
All these more or lesses add up to the fact that the engines temperature is in the upper 100 degree range, which is where it normally should be.
Is the temperature you are seeing significantly different than it was last spring when running on muffs?
I would not start worrying until the numbers start to approach 200.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Normal engine temp

looks to me that by sm #9 your rig uses a 143*F tstat.
that's the temp the tstat starts to open at. it's full open @ +20*F.

what value tstat did you put in your rig? if 160*. normal operating temp would be 160-180.

best i can see. 143* is proper for both closed and open systems per sm 9 if my quick read of it is right.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Normal engine temp

Ok.
It's not in the water yet but it's on the trailer

those are numbers on the muffs? would not worry about it till you dunk it in the water.. watch it then...... I was running 140-150 deg..
I would suggest your not going to get same waterflow from muffs as you'd get in the pick ups.....