06-01-2018, 02:13 PM
Hi
A few years back I fitted a temporary gauge (thermocouple) to my late '38 Ruby and found it was running at about 90 degrees C on an average day. Trying the gauge again on a hot summer's day, it was only a couple degrees warmer. Also, the late Ruby system is slightly pressurised - there is a relief valve fitted before the overflow - so 100 degrees is not the boiling temperature even with fresh water - it will be higher - and the 30% anti-freeze will also raise it. In practice, my car has never boiled when there has been enough water to allow circulation.
So I have stopped worrying about it, other than checking the water level. (One thing that might help counteract the age of the radiator core is that it is the straight-through channel type, rather than the original zigzag - this later one being more efficient?)
Colin
A few years back I fitted a temporary gauge (thermocouple) to my late '38 Ruby and found it was running at about 90 degrees C on an average day. Trying the gauge again on a hot summer's day, it was only a couple degrees warmer. Also, the late Ruby system is slightly pressurised - there is a relief valve fitted before the overflow - so 100 degrees is not the boiling temperature even with fresh water - it will be higher - and the 30% anti-freeze will also raise it. In practice, my car has never boiled when there has been enough water to allow circulation.
So I have stopped worrying about it, other than checking the water level. (One thing that might help counteract the age of the radiator core is that it is the straight-through channel type, rather than the original zigzag - this later one being more efficient?)
Colin