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Post by windsor on Oct 25, 2015 7:16:07 GMT -5
Hey guy's, I'm new to the forum but have been drag racing for 30 years. I recently put together a ford 408 stroker for my 1993 mustang. My first time to the track was yesterday. I staged the car between 170-180 degrees F and at the stripe (1/8 mile) the temp dropped to 160 degrees or less. I never had to turn the fans on the whole day! The electric water pump was running the whole time. I'm running a 4-core radiator and if the car is idling @ 180 degrees and I drive it down the road (ambient temp in the 50's) the coolant temp drops right down to 150. My question is this normal with E85 in cold air? My plugs looked great. Don't have my wideband hooked up yet though. It was pretty consistent pass to pass. I've listed my best time below. Oh I'm running an 850 Proform carb with 88/96 jetting (3.5 p/v). Thanks for the help.
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Post by windsor on Oct 28, 2015 17:50:43 GMT -5
Nobody? I'm familiar with the approximate 10 degree temp rise if jetting is close but will it make a difference if the ambient temps are low and my cooling system is very efficient? If anyone has experienced this, I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks.
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Post by windsor on Oct 31, 2015 18:39:28 GMT -5
FYI. After a little research and speaking with several other people with similar combinations, it appears that this is a fairly common condition. The 10 degree rise (from stage to stripe) in coolant temp is an approximation but far from being a rule and doesn't always work in cold ambient temps with E85 or similarly based fuels. Especially if the vehicle in question runs cool to begin with, as mine did (1/8 mile).
Also people that indicated no gain or a loss in coolant temp (cold ambient temps), reported that their wideband meter indicated all was well and that their spark plugs looked perfect as well as posting top MPH numbers. If ambient temps climbed say into the 70's or more, then a 8-10 degrees rise in coolant temp was observed in most cases (not all). Hopefully this information will help others who are new to E85 as I am. Thanks and good racing!
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Post by triplenickel on Nov 4, 2015 21:10:44 GMT -5
Welcome windsor. I would agree with your assessment of what's happening. You apparently have a very efficient cooling system, so lack of temp rise isn't a surprise. Tuning by wide band and/or reading plugs along with what you see on the time slip are the best way to go. Good luck!
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Post by windsor on Nov 6, 2015 5:43:04 GMT -5
Welcome windsor. I would agree with your assessment of what's happening. You apparently have a very efficient cooling system, so lack of temp rise isn't a surprise. Tuning by wide band and/or reading plugs along with what you see on the time slip are the best way to go. Good luck! Thanks for the information. I'll keep everyone posted on the wideband results. It may be awhile since tracks won't open again until spring. Picture of engine below.
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Post by windsor on Mar 22, 2016 0:58:16 GMT -5
Just wanted to give a little update. Per my previous post, I was having problems getting heat into the motor. I like to stage between 170-180 on E85. Car runs best there.
After doing a little more research. I decided to install a high flow 180 degree thermostat (previously running smallest moroso water restrictor) with a couple of holes drilled in it to prevent the water pump from dead heading. Several other people have been running this setup for years with electric water pumps without any issues.
Long story short, the car runs right at 180 in traffic with the fans on. On the thruway the fans are not needed to keep it at or just below 180 degrees. I've changed my carb tune up around quite a bit looking for better gas mileage/power and so far seems to be working. Still need to get the wide band hooked up to do some fine tuning but it seems a little stronger and much crisper than it was when it ran 6.40's. Plugs looks a little cleaner. I'm pretty sure it was a little fat in the idle and transition circuit and maybe a little on the mains. The tracks open April 16 around here, I'll keep you guys posted......
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