Normal Operating Temperature

[rickrat]

For an 83 6.9 stock engine, what is the normal operating temperature? Im installing an aftermarket temperature guage to replace the factory guage. I notice going up hills my factory guage climbs a little, and when I stop and idle it drops drastically down a bit (quickly as well)

I will plumb the aftermarket guage where the factory guage is now at.

At what temperature when pulling a load up steep hills is considered safe? A friend told me that they can run safely at 215 degrees all day?

 

[JPR]

If I remember correctly, my 83 would run in the 200-210 pulling a 9500# trailer in the summer with the a/c on.

 

[Ironman03R]

I'm a little low on coolant so I'm runnin about 220. Normally 195-200, 200-225 loaded in the summer.

 

[The Warden]

The thermostat should open at about 190°. My truck usually runs right at 190°; going up a hill under load on a warm day will bring the coolant temp up to 210°, at which point the fan kicks in and brings the temp right back to 190° in just a couple of minutes...

I've only seen my coolant above 210° once, and that was only for a few minutes (and it was due to an air bubble in the cooling system)...

 

[85hauler]

These motors were designed with a max safe operating temp of 244 degrees. That is also the temp that the overheat light turns on. IH says that anything below 244 is safe. Most of us don't like seeing them that hot but I have ran my '85 at 230-240 loaded heavy pulling grades with no ill effects.

 

[subway]

just make sure your antifreeze is up to *****, if it starts boiling it can be game over.

i usually see 190-200 range typically on my 7.3 but it dousent drop at idle. most i have seen is about 215-220 pulling a steep hill with a load. i know it is a 7.3 but should be very close to the same numbers.