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How hot is a 400 engine supposed to get

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Bryce Andreasen

04-21-2003 20:02:27




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How hot is a '55 400 gas supposed to get at max with half water half anti freeze? I am pulling a six section harrow, so want to know before i ruin something.




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CNKS

04-22-2003 18:28:38




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 Re: how hot is a 400 engine supposed to get in reply to Bryce Andreasen (Magnum), 04-21-2003 20:02:27  
If you are running it at max load in mid-summer, you will probably find that it will be on the mid-to high side of the "run" section. Keep it out of the red by shifting down a gear as suggested below. The 50-50 antifreeze raises the boiling point to above the safe temperature for your tractor, so it is strictly for freeze and corrosion protection. The pressurized cap allows you to exceed the "safe" temp for brief periods of time without losing coolant.

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Dr.Evil

04-22-2003 08:25:52




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 Re: how hot is a 400 engine supposed to get in reply to Bryce Andreasen (Magnum), 04-21-2003 20:02:27  
Assuming You still have the three zone gauge, Cold, Run, Hot You want the needle right on the low or cold end of the Run section. Gauge gets over the middle of the Run section drop a gear a round or two. I think the OEM thermostats are something like 165 Deg., maybe 180.



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joe

04-22-2003 19:38:00




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 Re: Re: how hot is a 400 engine supposed to get in reply to Dr.Evil, 04-22-2003 08:25:52  
It is fine, I think, to run it in the upper range of the green. That is where the little arrow points to on the gauge. And that is where mine runs when I'm working it hard. I have never once had a problem with it going into the red range. You will stall the motor before you work it that hard. And I have worked them pretty hard - constant heavy field draft lugging it down to about 1200 rpms when its supposed to be 1540 or so. It never has any problem with cooling. The heaviest running I do with ours is pulling a twelve foot disk in fourth gear in freshly plowed fields. A harrow is no problem at all. I pull a large one in fourth gear, and the motor doesn't even hardly notice it.

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Dr.Evil

04-23-2003 10:55:08




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 Re: Re: Re: how hot is a 400 engine supposed to get in reply to joe, 04-22-2003 19:38:00  
According to the manual that arrow is the operating temp for when kerosene, distilate, or "Tractor Fuel" is used. Manual is pretty clear that the top end of the COLD or low end of the RUN range is operating temp on gasoline. I've spent My share of hours on M, M-TA, 450, etc....back when they were newer. In Our clay hills with the 450 I'd pull the T/A back at 1000 RPM and as soon as the needle touched 1450 again the T/A went forward.

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Steve - IN

04-21-2003 21:18:49




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 Re: how hot is a 400 engine supposed to get in reply to Bryce Andreasen (Magnum), 04-21-2003 20:02:27  
Wayne has it basically right on the boiling numbers. Add about 3 degrees for every pound of pressure on the cooling system. Deduct about 1 to 1.5 degrees for every 1000 feet above MSL or 14.7 psi air pressure.

With an old engine and no oil cooler, you probably won't want to run over 200 degrees water temp, as Wayne said. If you are, you should clean the clean the chaff and dirt from the outside of the radiator and also flush the cooling system with something caustic enough to put a dent in all the rust and crud that has built up in there over the years. Just cleaning it will do more than any other low buck trick will increase the heat exchanging capability of the cooling system.

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Wayne Swenson

04-21-2003 20:41:09




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 Re: how hot is a 400 engine supposed to get in reply to Bryce Andreasen (Magnum), 04-21-2003 20:02:27  
Any engine, car, truck, tractor, should not run much over 200 degrees F.
Since water boils @ 212 degrees and 50/50 water /antifreeze boils @ 234 (I think I am remembering correctly) degrees with no pressure on the coolant, you want some margin of safety for your cooling system.
Pressurize the cooling system and the temp can get hotter and not boil. JUST DO NOT REMOVE THE PRESSURE CAP WHEN HOT!!!

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derek csendom

04-21-2003 20:46:32




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 Re: Re: how hot is a 400 engine supposed to get in reply to Wayne Swenson, 04-21-2003 20:41:09  
i no a guy who did that when he was a kid, took the pressure cap off his dads 706 after hauling hay wagons. i, or he i shuld say shure learned after shooting that cap 30 feet in the air and getting burned everyplace possible.



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