Oil Temp Questions

[Rolling Thunder]

I have a 351Cleveland into which I just installed a windage tray. My SW oil temp gauge markings begin at 140. I have a 180 degree coolant thermostat. I use Castrol SynTec 5W-50 synthetic oil. My oil coller is NOT hooked up.

Prior to installing the windage tray, the oil temp rarely even registered on the guage. The only time it did would be after idling for a long while on 95+ temp days or while driving fairly hard on twisty backroads where rpm was up but speed was usually between 40-60. When it did register, it would only get to 140-150.

Now, after putting in the windage tray, the oil temp always registers on the guage and doesn't go below 160 on the highway once the engine is warmed up and it will go to 180-190 if idling for a short while.

Is this a normal occurance for pre and post widage tray use?

I know most everyone says that the oil coolers are not needed unless you have a bigblock or are racing, but what should be the normal operating temp for oil in a medium displacement engine?

Thanks,

Keith

[Bill Wells]

it seems every engine is different and every gauge is different, degree of accuracy many times being questioned.

i have a 351 svo crate in my spf with spf supplied oil cooler that is hooked up.

in normal everyday driving conditions the oil temp is usually just slightly less than the engine temp. as the engine temps vary due to stop and go driving or ambient temp differences so does the oil temp following suit.

the only time the oil temp gets above engine temp is during very hot days in slow moving /heavy stop and go traffic (but always falling down to engine temp level or slightly less once traffic opens up) or when the car is being driven hard , ie, track or strip time the oil temp will be higher than engine temp, but only marginally so.

my engine temps due to outstanding radiator cooling capacity and two very efficient 'puller fans' when needed NEVER get above 200 degrees farenheit and usually run in the 185-190 degree range. as mentioned, oil temps then are either the same, or 5-10 degrees less than engine temp and when higher never exceeding 205-210 degrees F.

but alas, every engine is different and gauge variability is an issue too. I use the gauges for 'directional reference' of one vs the other and have never boiled over or had the gauge read (eitiher one) over 210 F (my gauges read in centigrade, but I have a little cheat card that does the F conversion for reference as my memory isn't what it used to be). Other friends i know who have the sb's with coolers report similar experiences. The bb folks seem to run hotter by 5-10 degrees F for both oil and engine in normal everyday driving. Bill.

[Slide]

Pull the probe and emerse in boiling water for a few minutes I use a small electric water heater [for tea] and check your gauge. IMy S.W. oil temp gauge reads 17degF. cold so did it's replacement! Optimum oil temp is around 220deg.

[aumoore]

to the top

I am not getting any readings on my SW gauge. When I ground the wire that goes to the sender the gauges goes all the way to the top so I doubt the gague is the problem. It could be how I mounted the sending unit. It is mounted in a T-fitting next to the oil pressure sending unit. This places the sending Unit about 4" from the engine block but it still has oil on it. Should I reroute it to the Oil pan and if so should I mount it in the oil drain hole. I am running a 5.0 with a double sump Fox Mustang oil pan so I was thinkng of using the rear oil drain hole as it is higher than the rear.

Any thoughts

[wilf leek]

aumoore - have had many a discussion with folks here in the UK about mounting oil temp senders in the pressure take off "T".
My view is that this will not give a true reading, as the sensor is in a dead leg - no oil flow past it, so it cannot sense true bulk oil temp.
Test the sender with the boiling water method to make sure it's OK and to calibrate your gauge, and then relocate it somewhere where it can "see" the true oil temp - you may find in the pan is OK, but again I have seen "dead spots" there as well.
If you have a remote oil filter, getting into one of the lines either to or from that would be good.

HTH

[aumoore]

Wilf thanks for the reply

how do you calibrate the sender? I thought about the remote filler but I thought the oil would be cooler at that point vs the oil pan. I guess it would not change much as it is only 30" away.

Where are most mounting the sending unit?