Cool Valiant

[dartley]

Hi folks,

Got a '75 Valiant 4dr /6, daily driver; factory a/c - big rad and fan with shroud. Timed to 0 TDC @700rpm and runs like a top.

Here's the thing. It runs steady at 140 deg F. That was great in the 95 deg F of summer. But since I'm on LI, NY, maybe not so good for 20 deg F winter weather. Even now, while it's 45 deg F out, the heater makes only warm air, so it's not a temp sensor pblm. The AF is full in the rad.

The last /6 I had was a '75 Dart Sport. It only had a rad about 2/3 as large as this one and no shroud and a smaller fan, and it still did not nearly overheat.

But is car here is all factory. You folks have any idea what I might do - besides placing cardboard over the rad?

I was thinking a new hotter thermostat, but I'd hate to do that for nothing, and I can't see that doing much good. Any thoughts?

Thanks and best regards,

 

[340mopar]

I'd say that you thermostat is not working correctly (stuck open some) because the lowest one you can buy is a 160 degree. I would run at least a 180 in that car year round. A 195 wouldn't hurt either since that would have been the factory 'stat for that car.

 

[dartley]

Thank you sir. I suppose I shall try.

 

[64_Barracuda]

My 71 Dart Swinger was the same way, I changed to a 195 thermostat. In Vermont It took a while but I got very little heat. I did some checking and put a thermocoupler in the radiator. It doesn't get above 170 or so, /6 is just to effiecient running. So I experimented, I took a piece of aluminum and drilled a small hole in the center instead of the thermostat. After a while I got it to run at 190+-10 degrees. I don't have it anymore so I can't remember the exact setup took a bit to get it right, in the spring I took it out and put the thermostat back in.

Hope this helps,

Rick

 

[dartley]

My 71 Dart Swinger was the same way, I changed to a 195 thermostat. In Vermont It took a while but I got very little heat. I did some checking and put a thermocoupler in the radiator. It doesn't get above 170 or so, /6 is just to effiecient running. So I experimented, I took a piece of aluminum and drilled a small hole in the center instead of the thermostat. After a while I got it to run at 190+-10 degrees. I don't have it anymore so I can't remember the exact setup took a bit to get it right, in the spring I took it out and put the thermostat back in.

Hope this helps,

Rick

As a matter of fact the car is up for sale now. I need to get rid of either the '92 Spirit or this one, and I don't have time to work on four cars - the time I spend working on a car I want to spend on the 340 car.

But in case I keep it, this is good to know. Thanks again and best regards,