overheating in Cobra 3L

[pconsolini]

Might be opening a can of worms with this question but... what temperature should an 88 Cobra 3L run? Mine runs steady at around 180. If this is too hot what should be checked to correct it? I've seen in other threads to check impeller, thermostat, belts, riser, etc. Any one more likely than the others? In other words what would be a list with the easiest to most complex to check? (I do have a Clymer's manual for the unit)

 

[hondon]

Re: overheating in Cobra 3L

The point is you are running STEADY at 180.Most problems will rear their heads at either idle or wide open.Problems at idle are generally seawaterpump in origin.Problems after that are generally circulation or restriction.180 is not bad for this and it could be just a incompatable guage/sender combo.

 

[Lou C]

Re: overheating in Cobra 3L

I have wondered about this too, most OMCs have a 160 thermostat in them, and that starts to open at 160, and is fully open at about 175 or so, so 175-180 is prob OK for these. A friend who has a Merc Alpha thought mine was running hot until I explained about the 160 thermo. I wondered if one can put in a 143 thermo if running in salt, my OMC dealer said no, stick with the OE one.

 

[pconsolini]

Re: overheating in Cobra 3L

Thnks for the replies. Sounds like I'll just keep an eye on the temp for now rather than jumping in and tearing down/replacing things that may not need it. Guess if it ain't "broke" don't "fix" it.