Cylinder head, What temperature?

[Jasons68]

I need suggestions on what temperature to set my Dakota Digital controller. The sensor is in the driver's side cylinder head. I know there is a difference between the cylinder head temp & water temp, so I want to compensate and keep my engine cool.

Im not sure what info you may need so I will throw some info about the engine out there.

Aluminum heads
383 (Chevy)
Be Cool universal radiator
Dakota Digital controller.

This car has always seemed to put out a lot of heat! I know there will be some tweaking, but I have never used cylinder head reading before.

Thanks!!
Jason

[Rhino]

Is the sensor in the water jacket of the head? If so, that's how most modern vehicles read water temp. To start, I'd set the fan a little above your engine thermostat. Somewhere in the 180-190 range.

[Jasons68]

Thanks Rhino. The sensor is in the drivers side head between the #1 & #3 cylinder.

I have cast iron manifolds and have read that should reduce the difference in Head temp vs water temp to where it is not significant enough to worry about. I guess if I had headers, that would produce more ambient heat and effect the sensor causing it to possibly read higher than actual head temp.

The more I dug around, I plan on going with the 180-190 range. I am going with a 180-185 thermostat and set my fan to come on at 190. I discovered there are many different theories concerning engine operating temps that seem to be debated still and some suggest an engine temp as low as 160 is optimal for power, but that comes at the cost of engine longevity. I have also read the high temps have come largly due to emissions etc.

Since my car doesnt have emissions I will stay on the cooler side.

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.

Jason

[TT302Z28]

This has been argued about for many years. Remember, the block and cylinders expand based upon temperature. When the engine was machined the clearances were set based upon a running temp of 180 or higher. If the engine is too cool all the time it will wear out faster. Also, the higher the running temp the more moisture and contaminants will be cookednout of the oil. Without this the oil will retain moisture caused from the combustion process and become corrosive.

[66SuperSport]

I have the water temp sending unit for my guage in the passenger side cylinder head on our '66 convertible. It has a 496" engine with 9.5:1 comp and Brodix heads. I typically see a 20 to 25 degree difference from my temp guage to my water neck temp. If you're not thinking about it you'de think the car was running way hot, but it's fine. Usually see 185 at the water neck with my temp gun and around 205 to 210 at the head on the temperature guage in the car.