Good Afternoon,
Our 261, with a 235 head, which is mounted aft in our 1945 Flxible Clipper, takes very little time to warm up and runs warmer than we anticipated it would.
We have flushed the engine, having found much 'muck' behind number 6, thoroughly. Removed the water pump up front, as well as all core plugs, blasting and running water until no more muck or discoloration of the water was observed.
We have a new radiator, with two (2) 16" electric fans sucking through said radiator, switched - but nearly always on. While driving, road air is jammed down from a scoop on the roof, across the radiator, in the same direction as the fans suck air.
It warms to @180 in short order and seems to run @200 when going down the road. It climbs above that, though does not/has not boil(ed) over when at idle.
There is no thermostat in the system, as the shutterstat system opens/closes the shutters based on coolant temperature. As such, coolant is always flowing wide-open through the engine and radiator.
We have 2" lines running to/from the radiator/engine.
What is the optimal operating temperature for the 261? Is 200 too warm?
Thanks,
Joshua L. Coder
