Why 360 deg. is not enough Re: <VV> Help needed with a CHT gugage

[FrankCB at aol.com]

For many years we drove "Joe Cool" (1966 95 PG A/C  coupe) to which I had 
added a Stewart Warner CHT gauge (sold specifically for  Corvairs) that went up 
to 600 deg. F.  I calibrated the gauge in a hot  silicone oil bath using a lab 
thermometer (what, me anal??)  and  it usually read 350 deg. F. under normal 
driving.  However on two  occasions we were glad to have higher capability.  
One was driving home  from an autocross on only ONE carb and the other was a 7 
mile trip home  with no functioning fan (harmonic balancer slipping).  In both 
case we  drove only until the temp went to 450 deg. F and then pulled off the 
road to  cool down the engine before proceeding.  If we had had a CHT gauge 
that was  limited to 360 deg. F. we would have been driving blind and could have 
seriously  overheated the engine.
    Needless to say, when the time finally came  for "Joe Cool" to go to his 
final resting place, that Stewart  Warner gauge and sensor were removed before 
he left us.
    Frank "even ordinary Corvairs need CHT gauges"  Burkhard
 
In a message dated 12/29/2006 8:44:45 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
corvair at fnader.com writes:

I use  Westach CHT gauges... this dual one is my  favorite:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/smicrocht6.php

Though  for a normal street car a single gauge is sufficient.

With placement  under a spark plug I never see more than about 310-320 
degrees... but if  you use the stock location you may want more than a 
360  scale.

Bill