'48 Cub Water Temperature Hits 180!

[Alec]

I had contemplated installing a water temp gauge.
I have a hole in the dash from where the oil pressure gauge was. I moved it to the engine.
I just came in from a quick 20 minute ride up the road to my neighbor, pretty much full throttle both ways.
Then I let it sit idling for 10 minutes.
Using Diana's cooking thermometer sitting in the rad cap hole, the temperature never went past 180.

Does that sound about right?

 

[k hutchins]

Are you using a 50/50 antifreeze mixture?
I don't know the actual specs, but in my opinion if it's not boiling, you should be good.

 

[staninlowerAL]

Sounds about right. As I recall the common thermostats that I have dealt with in the past start to open at about 180 degrees (or so the package says.) JMHO Stan

 

[Alec]

Are you using a 50/50 antifreeze mixture?
I don't know the actual specs, but in my opinion if it's not boiling, you should be good.

Yeah. That's what I thought too.
The cap is not a pressure cap so would not be good if the water started to boil.
I'm happy with 180 as a top limit. I'll check it occasionally.
So no need for a water temp gauge.