The few times I need to use the aircon here in the UK I have noticed that the temperature gague often gets up to 3/4 and sometimes nudges the red section if the car is stationary. With the aircon off the temp is less than 1/2.
Just interested to hear from those of you who live in the hot states if your cars overheat when say you are in a traffic jam for an hour with the aircon on.

Thanks

Simon

 

Whenever the outside tempurature gets over 100* my engine (305 tbi LO3) in stop and go traffic will get to about 220*-240* depending how long I'm in traffic with the A/C on. If you have a Single electric fan install dual fans and it will help cool the engine a lot better.

 

At what engine temperature should I be concerned. ie just nudging the red or well into the red?
BTW I have twin fans

Thanks

Simon

 

A few weeks ago I was driving in stop and go traffic in 105* weather when my temp gauge went to the red and then all the way to 260* with the A/C on. I shut off the A/C and switched on the heater with the temp control on full warm and fan on high. The temp went down to 240*in a few minutes. After this I installed Dual Perma Cool Fans a Stewart water pump and modified my 180* thermostat by drilling two 1/8" holes on the edges of it. The engine runs cooler but, in Severe Heat will still get to about 240* or a little above in stopped traffic.

 

I dont think I'll be hitting temperatures like that so I dont have anything to worry about.
I think pressurised coolant boils at about 302 deg so it shouldnt be a problem you reaching 260 every so often. I'm using thin oil at the moment, the stuff recommended on the filler cap is it 0w 30 and the oil pressure drops down to 20 lb at idle when engine is very hot. When I used fully synthetic the pressure stayed much higher. Mind the old rule was 10 lb of oil pressure for every 1000 rpm so its OK.

Thanks

Simon