The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Idled very long, ran better..??

I helped a young lady with her car at a mall after work. I warm it up a few minutes after it sits a few hours and drove 30+ min on the highway every day after work, stoped for 10 min to then help this lady. I had my hood open and hot engine running at idle for it had to have been 20-30 min. I kept touching the rad to make sure I was'nt getting to hot, the engine ran fine. I did think though that the rad should be hoter than it was. When I drove home the engine clearly ran smoother than it normally does and seemed to have a bit more "go" off the line and when shifting. Some tell me it's a 292 and others tell me it's a 250, I have to do my home work to find out for sure.

Could my engine be running to cold at operating/driving temp? (no temp gauge in truck) Thermostat, rad? It's always run great but it ran GREAT after this.This does'nt make sence to me.

Tedy,
Sounds like she is runnin too cold when ya drivin, I would first install a working temperature gauge so you know what the temp is reaching then go from there, a working temp. gauge I feel is a must in any vehicle, its just cheap insurance.
If she is runnin to cold then pull your thermostat and check it it may be stuck in the open position letting the coolant freeflow and not letting the engine achive a good operating temp.
I would think you should be shootin for round 190 degrees of operating temp.
Good Luck
Tim

I ment to say no working temp gauge.

Thanx Tim, the thermostat did the trick and for the first time since owning the truck the factory temp gauge moved just touching the normal range. I've bout new gauges, just have to put them in. Truck runs way better now.