Look at this picture..Is this too high

[mally002]

Hey guys,

I ran the 240 today on a 30 mile ride, and as some of you know I recently flushed the radiator and put in a new 180 t-stat....(couldn't find a 160).

Anyway at several red lights I snapped these pictures of the temp gauge and wanted to know if this would be a normal reading. The last photo is after I had been sitting for at least 2 minutes. Is this still too hot, or do some of you get these readings.

Thanks for any info..

Randy

[76Datsun280z]

What was the temp. outside?

[mally002]

76 degrees, low humidity.....beautiful day.

[AZ-240z]

76 degrees, low humidity.....beautiful day.

Just my opinion, but, yes, I would say thats a little too hot for a 76 degree day. Is the 180 thermostat you put in a Nissan OEM product, or did you get an aftermarket thermostat? The reason I ask is, the opening in a Nissan thermostat is probably 20% bigger than an aftermarket unit and will make a difference.

Dan

[Bulldog Z]

On my 73 240Z I have a Nissan thermostat and a three row csf radiator and mine never goes past the halfway point on the temp guage. Our days here in south Ga average 90 degrees plus with high humidity. AZ 240Z is right, a non Nissan thermostat will register diffrently. Hope this helps you.

Brad

[Spridal]

Hi,

Here in Palm Springs, CA where in the past few days it has been in the low 100's my '70 240's temp gauge does not move pass the half mark. Infact, it spent over 10 minutes ideling in my drive way and the needle did not budge pass the half mark.

[AZ-240z]

Hey guys,

I ran the 240 today on a 30 mile ride, and as some of you know I recently flushed the radiator and put in a new 180 t-stat....(couldn't find a 160).

Anyway at several red lights I snapped these pictures of the temp gauge and wanted to know if this would be a normal reading. The last photo is after I had been sitting for at least 2 minutes. Is this still too hot, or do some of you get these readings.

Thanks for any info..

Randy

Randy,

Go to www.jrdemers.com and open up," Z-car: Tips and Tricks", then, "Over Heating". I used his method for calibrating my temp gage with a Radio Shack resistor plugged into the lead to the temp sensor, and I use a 180 Nissan thermostat. My gage runs about one needle width right of center on my 1970 Z on 100 degree day in Phoenix. I also have a three row radiator core.

I have confirmed my gage readings with the thermometer in the radiator trick and using an infrared thermometer around the engine,and am now happy

that my gage readings are pretty accurate.

Hope this helps.

Dan

[BRE-240Z]

Does your car have a shroud, Mally? Is it at this temperature the whole time you're driving, or does it creep upwards when you're sitting for a bit?

I had this same problem until I swapped my two-row radiator with a three-row and a shroud. Now I'm sitting right in the middle of the temp range at all times.

[mally002]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the info. When the car is moving the gauge stays right at half way, but at the stop lights and idleing it moves to that 3/4 mark.

Also, it's not an OEM thermo....I know, I know, I need to get one. I didn't realize the 20% difference.

I'm not really sure what you guys mean by a "shroud" Could you let me know what this is, any pics? Also If I wanted a three row whats the best place and price to get one from.

Thanks again folks....

[76Datsun280z]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the info. When the car is moving the gauge stays right at half way, but at the stop lights and idleing it moves to that 3/4 mark.

Also, it's not an OEM thermo....I know, I know, I need to get one. I didn't realize the 20% difference.

I'm not really sure what you guys mean by a "shroud" Could you let me know what this is, any pics? Also If I wanted a three row whats the best place and price to get one from.

Thanks again folks....

They mean "fan shroud".

Here's a link to the oem thermostat.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=21200-S30Z

[sblake01]

21200-F3160 is the part number of the Nissan 160 degree thermostat. I don't know why Courtesy complicates things by using their own part numbers on OEM stuff. That's why I get my OEM stuff from http://www.nissanparts.cc or the dealer. Nissan parts.cc has lower prices than Courtesy also.

[AZ-240z]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the info. When the car is moving the gauge stays right at half way, but at the stop lights and idleing it moves to that 3/4 mark.

Also, it's not an OEM thermo....I know, I know, I need to get one. I didn't realize the 20% difference.

I'm not really sure what you guys mean by a "shroud" Could you let me know what this is, any pics? Also If I wanted a three row whats the best place and price to get one from.

Thanks again folks....

Heck, if you have a two row stock radiator now, I would just shop for a four row radiator and get that OEM thermostat. I believe that would solve your problem.

Dan