Detroit school lesson please

G'day

For those that don't know I have a natural 892 detroit in my atkinson. After engine mount and front axle issues yesty was the day for rego. Bingo all passed

So today she went to work. Drove 100 Kay's all up pulling a gross of about 30 ton. Everything seams to be going ok. Here's a few noises I'm not too excited about but that could be more inexperience with 2strokes rather than any problems.

The main thing I'm concerned about is the water temp. Now I only poke along at about 80kays (due to little tyres on my float) but the water temp seams to be sitting on about 90 degrees. Never got any hotter but today was only a 20 degree day at best, what happens when it's 35? If i backed down to about 70 it dropped back to about 85. When i pulled back up at the yard by the time i had opened the gate and got back in the cab it was back down under 80. Now I was told by a bloke no old motor (pre egr) should really get above 80 unless its really hot and working hard, I wouldn't call 30 ton gross working hard. I should also state I've given the motor and radiator a good flushing and has new coolant in it.

So what should it sit on? Could I have an airlock, how should I bleed the system, or just check it? Thermostat playing up, where is it located?

Cheers

What temp is the thermostat ? I don't know about Detroits but I think most engines need to be at least 85C to run at their best. Also if the truck has been standing for a while it may have crude in radiator and water jacket that will take time to get out.

Ditch

1) What sort of fan drive does it have? If it has a Horton on it - then that may not be 'locking up'.

2) Does it have 'shutters' on the Rad? If so - they may be locked in the closed/part closed position.

Oldfulla

G'day

The radiator and motor did have a chemical flush, which a fair bit of crud came out.

No shutters on this one. I'll post a pic later on.

Cheers

DaD
Gudday M8
No shutters


then must have Horton fan clutch

the screemer haz 2 thermostats one on each side
located on front of screemer where 2 hoses from radiator tuch down
n has an equilizer hose connecting the 2
each housing held down wiff 4 bolts

cya

G'day

Thanks swishy. I'm thinking an investment in another temp gauge for the other cylinder bank might be a wise idea to see what's going on all the time.
I think I'll pull the thermostats to see what is in there.

What temp does yours run at swish?

Cheers

G'day

And it has a fixed fan.

Cheers

Hi Dig a Ditch .. great old truck mate ...she's a Mk 2 with the later 7'' headlights and step boxes fitted. (The Mk2's had the corner park light faired into the mudguard side)

...the cooling system may be a little compromised by the very deep bumper and heavy mesh grille??

Dad
Gudday M8

RE:What temp does yours run at
Dunno nevr look
LOL

I got a horton fan clutch
n a red light cums on the dash wen she wants to have a blo

Guess n bout 90 the horton starts
the screemers purr4m n run better up close to the 90

anything B lo 75 is getn a bit cold

eye may B rong
But your beast dun sound right
it should have radiator shutters or a Fan clutch
me din think th@ they purely relied on the thermostats to control temp

any airlock should disappear after the 1st run

the screemers dun like idlin around much
n best way to drive it as tho ........ u stole it
they B happy screem n there head off all day @ 2100rpm

some ol jokers rekon to slam u're hand in the door @ start of day to put U in the right frame of mind to drive m
LOL


cya

Now I have seen a photo of it I can see one thing that might be keeping it warmer ..... There looks to be a lot of stuff infront of the radiator .... Like the surround ... The bumper .... Maybe it needs a little bit more air flowing around it .... There wasn't much hanging off the front of these old things back in their day