59-60 Temp guage

[cccchevy]

Finally out on the road after almost a 3-year restoration on my grandfathers 60 El Camino. The temp gauge is running a little higher than I remember. It's about 3/4, sometimes a little higher, but never goes above that. Using an infrared temp gun, I'm only reading 185 at the T-stat housing. It is a fresh motor (348, 250hp), not even 10 miles on it yet, so I know it will run a little warmer until it loosens up. Where are you 59-60 guys seeing your factory temp gauges run? Thanks for all your help over the past couple of years everyone!

[rstreet]

great looking car er truck!!!! At 180 on the infrared My stock gauge is just a tick past half. Mine will creep up in traffic though
Robert

[cccchevy]

I'm running a 180 t-stat, should I run a cooler one?

[1958 delivery]

I would probably put in a 160, but there's nothing wrong with a 180 either. If you are satisfied that the engine is not running hot, and it sounds as though it's not. You can add resistance (ohms) to the sending unit wire to lower the indicating position of the gauge.

[Rusty Everitt]

1958 Delivery,
That sounds like a neat idea, how would you add resistance to the wire :dunno
Rusty

[fatride]

I'm running a 185 t-stat, should I run a cooler one?

170 T stat is stock for the 348 in 1960! That's what I had in mine.

[1958 delivery]

170 T stat is stock for the 348 in 1960! That's what I had in mine.



Every where I lok for a 170 it's not to be found. Seems as the stores only carry 180 or 160.

[1958 delivery]

1958 Delivery,
That sounds like a neat idea, how would you add resistance to the wire :dunno
Rusty


Not sure of the ohm size you'll need to add. I would think maybe someone on here will know. But you'll need to buy proper size resistor(s) and solder them in-line.

[Ronnie Russell]

160,170,180 They are all the same. If you have a w-head that runs under 180 degrees ,,,,, count your blessings. I've never been lucky enough to even see one.

[1958 delivery]

160,170,180 They are all the same. If you have a w-head that runs under 180 degrees ,,,,, count your blessings. I've never been lucky enough to even see one.



True, except with my custom alum radiator/elec fan combo. I can adjust sensor to maintain what ever temp I want. I always use the 160 to maintain a "delta" from the fan "off" temp.
But I was serious about locating the 170 units. I never have found one at the local parts stores.

[cccchevy]

According to two of my local parts suppliers, 170 t-stats are no longer available, at least for Chevrolet applications. I bought a 160, I’ll see what that does.

[blumun53]

Sounds like an incorrect sending unit to me. Or maybe even defective. I bought one for my 60 348 once and it registered high on my gauge. Come to find out, the catalog the guy looked in did not even list 348's. Don't know why. So he just grabbed one off the shelf to make the sale. Went to a smaller independant dealer and got the correct unit. No mo' probs. My 60 always ran a little shy of half-way on the stock gauge, when other things were as they should be. :cool:

[models916]

Real Delco

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