Cooling Tips for your TR6

Date: Wed, 13 May 98 9:57:51 CDT
From: (Richard Triplett)
Subject: Overheating tips

Living in the West Texas desert presents unique problems with overheating LBC's. I would like to pass along some tips I learned over the years:

1. Don't remove the thermostat in an attempt to prevent overheating, because the thermostat does several things; it maintains the engine at its most efficient temperature, slows flow of water through radiator to ensure heat dissipation (if water flows too fast, heat transfer will be reduced), and helps maintain proper system pressure.
   
   [Note from Trevor Boicey: Although the thermostat has it's purpose, the "flowing too fast" myth has been debunked many times on this list. It has no basis in science. Refer to the archives for the meat of the discussion.]
   
2. Make sure the shroud (if fitted) is in good shape and in place, air, like water and current, takes the path of least resistance which is, in this case, around the radiator rather than through it. It's amazing how much a proper shroud will reduce overheating.
   
3. Don't paint your radiator! I learned this at a hydraulics class, paint is a good insulator and will reduce efficiency of heat transfer.
   
4. If you suspect radiator problems, a non-contacting infrared temperature gauge will detect cool spots which represent loss of circulation, also input and output temperature differences can help troubleshoot the system.
   
5. Use the proper mixture of anti-freeze and water (50-50 works for me)
   
6. Install an overflow reservoir if not provided.
   
7. Use proper pressure rated cap.

I learned most of the above the hard way, sure wish this group was around in the 70's!

Richard Triplett
62 TR3A
78 Spitfire
85 XJ6

Slow day at work