Crusader model 350 engine temp question?

[yorklyn]

what engine temperature should I be reading on my gauges? my port (1st picture below) is running hotter than the starboard (second picture). the port is just shy of 180, in reading it as 175 to 178ish . the starboard is around 170ish?
I plan on shooting the thermostat housing with a laser thermometer this weekend but im wondering what other people are seeing on their gauges?
I believe the thermostats are 160 degrees?
I had the heat exchangers cleaned and know they are not plugged and impellers are new. i plan on replacing both exchangers this winter as soon as i can scrape together the funds.
how hot is too hot?

Thanks

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[yorklyn]

may have figured out the reason for the temp difference. I had switched the starboard manifold to riser gaskets with the correct "one" hole gasket instead of the three hole ones that i had originally used but I left the three hole on the port.
im wondering if the port is a bit hotter because the water is flowing through the three holes faster than the starboard which has the one hole gaskets and not dissipating as much heat???

[BobCT]

I'm about 165-170 on mine using an IR gun. I've been fooling around with resistors in line to the gauges so they read the actual temperature. I have my Stb side perfect, port is about 7-8 degrees too low. If those are accurate, I wouldn't sweat that difference for this season and you're probably right about the gasket being the difference.

Yes, thermostats should be 160 for FWC engine.

[yorklyn]

Thanks Bob! I think ill feel better after checking everything with the laser. I was just a bit nervous being so close to 180.
are you able to manually adjust the temp needle to calibrate it?

[RWS]

I ran 180 degree thermostats in my Crusaders

fact is, they are more efficient at that temperature

RWS

[larryeddington]

The higher T-stats are fine if you are fresh water cooled. If raw water cooled and in salt water it accelerates the destruction of your engine via rapid corrosion. Raw water usually uses 140 to 145. It is not the heat itself that is bad for the engine.

[S.A.M.]

At idle mine hang around 170, at cruise, 3000rpm, they rise to 175. And wot the starboard will rise to 180.

[BobCT]

No, there's on adjustment of the back of the tachs but not the temp gauges. Once you're sure of the actual temp (or what you want the temp to be), you can adjust what the gauge reads with a resistor or two. It's a little bit of trial and error but you can dial out the allowable range on these gauges which I think is 10-15 degrees. Way too high I think...

[yorklyn]

Thanks Everyone! Sounds like I'm actually ok based on you input, thanks. I guess my first step will be to measure the actual engine temps with a laser and compare the temps with the actual gauges so I have a better idea of the real temps while at the helm.