<VV> Oil temperature?

Jim Simpson simpson661 at gmail.com
Wed Oct 25 11:33:32 EDT 2017


For what it's worth, I have a '66 turbo with an oil temp gauge sender
installed in the back of the block.  That puts it near the top of the oil
in the sump -- normally that's the hottest point in the oil.

The engine has the standard oil cooler with end plates plus Otto Parts oil
pan and valve covers.

It's not a calibrated gauge, just one I purchased 20 years ago from Clark's
so I can't vouch for its accuracy.

That said, the oil temp gets up to around 240 in local driving including on
the highway.  On longer runs at highway speeds it will edging toward 250.
I don't think I've ever seen it hit the 260 mark.  (The gauge is marked
100, 180, 220, 260 and 340 so any reading is only approximate.)

I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil, 10W-30 and as Seth says, it should be fine to
300 or so.  I've not seen any indication that the oil is breaking down.
The oil pressure is stable.

So if you are worried about oil temps, switch to a synthetic and relax.

Jim Simpson
Group Corvair


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