What should temp gauge indicate for 36 ford flathead?

[throwback]

I am working at getting my car drivable. I took it out for a short drive. The temperature gauge was indicating about 3/4 of the normal range. Is that normal? Is there something that I need to get it to run cooler? I am running with water and antifreeze. Any suggestions?

Thank you!

[wamnram]

Yes, depending on the air temp outside that would be considered normal. Mine will run from a 1/4 to 3/4 except on hot days (95 to 100 Deg) when it hangs slightly above 3/4. If you consistently run hot, have Skip rebuild your water pumps and use some Purple Ice or Water Wetter, made a big difference for me. Some even go to a pressurized cooling system.

[Brendan]

on a cool day my truck wont get above 140

[G.M.]

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Wamnram you need to get Skips 3 lb pressure valve and your engine will run even cooler. The anti-freeeze and Purple Ice are good. The pressure valve don't pressurize the system like some think. They think raising the boiling points helps. The true fact is the 3 lb valve on an open over flow or a 4 lb pressure cap on radiators with the over flow that comes off the neck mains purpose is to keep the water from going out the over flow tube. The tube openings in the top plate of the radiator, the length of the tubes and some dirt on the inner surface of the tubes cause a restriction in the flow of coolant through the tubes. This causes the water to pile up in the top tank and with an open over flow tube the water easly flows out the over flow. You have heard the term the water seeks it's own level. This true but but not good now the 22 quart system is a gallon low. Low water makes the engine run warmer. The cap or valve allows the pumps to force the coolant through the radiator without backing out the over flow. Pressure in the system comes from 2 sources, water temperature over 205 degrees or a compression leak in the engine. One of these engines should never get over 200 if the coolant is kept full with a good unrestricted flow of coolant, the air through the radiator flows like it was stock and the fan provides air. These engines will not idle for long periods of time on 90 degree plus days but in normal driving they should run 180 or less. If you get in heavy traffic on a hot day with little or no forward movement the temperature will get up in the 200 range. If this happens get out of the traffic and in less then a mile at 35 plus miles per hour the temperature should come back in the normal temperature range. The pressure should not get over 1-1/2 to 2 lbs at 200 or lower so the 3 or 4 lb pressure device will never open. The pressure device is also a SAFETY valve so if the engine got 210 or more the device would open letting the pressure escape and not do any damage. G.M.