Engine temperatures

[stevrock]

What temperature on what motors are you guys running?

I have the 4.6 but it seems to be all over the place as far as temps go, finally starting to get constant.
I'm just wondering what I should be shooting for.

[Jeremy]

I like 230 to 250*

[X25]

i keep mine below 250. F4.1 and K4.6 HO

[kreeper]

I have to agree with SJ. Most engines I ran, run best and longer between rebuilds if you keep it tuned around that.

[Jeremy]

Don't tune for temps .. Just listen to how the engine is sounds !!
You should be able to tell if it's running lean

[Double-O-Zilch]

When my F4.6 was running I shot for around 250-270. May have something to do with the front bearing leaking. Make sure you got smoke and she's happy.

[kreeper]

Well for me during the winter time I use the temp gun alot. During the summer I tune by ear and smoke. Not saying that will work for everyone but it works for me.

[X]

My engine loves higher temps, I used to run 290-300. With the nova head I run 260-280.

[stevrock]

The reason I ask is because I had temperatures around 230 in -5 (Maybe 20 F) weather, making plenty of smoke.
I mean, there was a haze in the air immediately around me.

But it's good to know that despite what the manual says, you guys are running hotter temps.

Does that mean I should lean it out a bit?

[Double-O-Zilch]

In colder temps you want to run a fatter mixture due to the cold air being denser meaning more air is available. Aa long as you still got smoke, lean her up a bit.

[stevrock]

I'm 2200 feet above sea level, I don't think dense air exists.

Dense people on the other hand, I'm living proof of it :duh:

[Keithv]

2200 feet? Where are you at?
The temps are going to vary by engine, fuel and weather. Tune for performance not temp. Use the temp gun as a guideline. Every engine seems to have its own sweet spot. Even though the manual and most sites say 230-250, some engines just run hotter then others. As long as you have a good trail of smoke you should be ok.

[stevrock]

I'm in Edmonton, from Nova "Snowtia" another Canadian clogging the place up.

So how hot can the motor get before it starts to sustain damage? Or does that vary by engine too?

[Keithv]

As long as you have a good trail of smoke you should be ok. Try to keep the temps below 250 if possible. But like everyone said, tune for performance not temp. The colder outside temp will make it a little harder to tune and you could end up running too lean to get the performance you want. You may need to put a sock or some foil around the engine head to keep the temps under control. Also with it being that cold out the plastic on the truck is going to be less flexible so it will break easier.

[HopIt]

250 -270 should be fine according to most engine manuals. If you can keep the temps slightly lower and still get satisfactory performance, then all the better.

[OhU8MiNe2]

is it bad that when i run my truck and its performance is great the temps are between 300 330