Lj78 water temp.

[Gun Runner 5]

I just installed a high quality aftermarket water temp. gauge ( one with real live numbers) on my 1990 LJ78. After driving approximately 20 miles with the A/C on ( both city and highway) the water temp. ranged between 205 to 212 degrees (F) ..roughly 100 degrees (C). This is on a day when the outside temp. hovered in the mid 90's and I did not let the pyro temp. exceed 900 degrees.
...My question is: At what water temp. should I get nervous?
( and yes "Crushers" I know I should be nervous when I put the key in the ignition). Thanks.......................1978HJ45

 

[Radd Cruisers]

The stock thermostat is 190F, so those numbers are okay.

I am finding more and more fan clutches that are not working properly these days, now that I am scrutinizing them more and more.

Also, most of the LJ78 I see have pretty plugged up cooling systems on an engine that tends to run hotter than its non-electronic brethren.

Use an IR temp gun and check the temp drop from inlet to outlet on the rad - you might see some interesting numbers there. With the engine at about 2,500 to 3,000 RPM and fully up to temp, when the fan is engaged you should see 40 to 50F drop (from my own observations) drop across the rad.

~John

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Thanks for the information. My radiator has been recored so I am confident it is in good condition and I have a 180 degree (F)T/stat enroute and should be installed next week. There currently is a 190 degree t/stat installed. The factory water temp. gauge had readings all over the place and at least for now the aftermarket replacement has produced very consistant readings. Thanks..................................1978HJ45

 

[crushers]

damn, that made me LOL!! thanks for the morning chuckle.

...My question is: At what water temp. should I get nervous?
( and yes "Crushers" I know I should be nervous when I put the key in the ignition). Thanks.......................1978HJ45

 

[crushers]

i installed a metal fixed fan on one of the LJ78s i had and it deffinatly changed the cooling...

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Hi Crushers, It took you a long time to respond. I was starting to think you were sick or something. Usually the mention of the 2L-TE brings you around quicker than Superman......1978HJ45

 

[crushers]

nah, been busy with the RHD fight and hadn't checked the forums for a few days...

 

[lshobie]

Ya for that I think I would go with a fixed fan, I think we see so many clutch fan failures because they are 15-20 years old - I need mine for water crossings and I like the clutch fan but I buy a new one and replace every time I buy an old cruiser.

Good luck holding back the inevitable though

 

[Radd Cruisers]

I've been getting a great deal on Aisin and NPW fan clutches lately, have done more fan clutches in the last few weeks than in the last 5 years... I'll be doing my own shortly. Makes a world of difference to how cool they run.

~John

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Thanks for he info. on the fan..............................1978HJ45

 

[Turnright]

Hey guys continuing with the daily life of lj 78 preservation my question is where do I install my new aftermarket water temp gauge ?

 

[Gun Runner 5]

With the help of my therapist I had almost recovered from the trauma of owning a LJ78 and then you come along and remind me. Back to square one.
One option for the gauge.....

 

[Turnright]

Thanks for the mounting idea , i was looking more for actual placement on the engine. remove existing sensor and replace or alternative ?

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Opps.....my bad. Can't help you there ( I no longer own the LJ78 )
......1978HJ45

 

[Turnright]

thanks for the input none the less

 

[crushers]

if you do a search under LJ you will see where i located my sending unit ...

i don't have the time or the interest to do so...

 

[buggyboy7]

Turnright

I put mine in place of the factory sensor. That stock indicator is useless. Isspro makes one with the right metric thread. Good luck!

 

[Rightnut]

This is my solution to fuel guage and temp guage. Those gauges are so old with that silly heating coil around the lever for the guage. Well I butchered the old hilux LN145 dash and this is my result

 

[Gun Runner 5]

This is my solution to fuel guage and temp guage. Those gauges are so old with that silly heating coil around the lever for the guage. Well I butchered the old hilux LN145 dash and this is my result

My solution ....... Sold the LJ78.

 

[Rightnut]

Haha ok fair enough. I only had mine 3 months but have known the cruiser for about 3 yrs.