From:
twelve_second_vega_REMOVE_742773_THIS_@yahoo.com
The increased temperature you refer to when the
car is hut down is called 'Hot Soak.' It has no ill
effect on the car and you have no control over
it.
Everyone seems to like running their engines hot.
Many claim an engine will make more power if you run
it hotter. I for one have always ran them as cold as
possible. 155° while driving is what I shoot for.
If engines make so much more power hot, why do all
the performance chips come with 160° thermostats? I
never use a thermostat. never have.
In response
to your question, I think 240°/250° continuous would
be the limit on a safe temperature for a SBC.
However, you can bet 'Hot Soak' will approach 275°/280°
and the car will most likely belch out most of the
coolant.
I would try to run it cooler, maybe in the
180°/200° neighborhood for longevity...Robert
[This is message #81 by user twelve_second_vega on Yahoo! Club V8 Vega Conversions:
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/v8vegaconversions ]