New Thermostat

Sun 15th Aug 2010 - Work time = 1hr ... Build Time to IVA = 252hrs ... Post IVA Build Time = 10hrs

Since I had the car on the road I was a little concerned that it was running a little hot.  Even travelling along at 50+mph the fan would need to cut in fairly regularly to keep the coolant temp down.  A quick call to Mark at Westfield confirmed what I was thinking ... the thermostat was set too high.  The standard fitment is a 92/102 stat ... starts opening at 92 degrees and is fully open at 102 degrees.  According to my dash temp gauge the fan was cutting in about 95 degrees so there wasn't much time for the stat to open and allow flow through the radiator.  Mark suggested at 82 degree stat ... as fitted to their race cars.  Not sure why this wasn't suggested when I collected the car? .. would have made things a little easier!  After a bit of searching on the WSCC forum I tracked down the correct 82 degree stat (as fitted to a Rover 416 !).  A quick trip to Halfrauds for the new stat and some anti freeze.  Refitted, refiled and tested up to operating temperature with no leaks.  Will have to see what it's like on the next run.