S197 V8 Engine temp gauge normal position

[Laurence Dunn]

Greetings all from the UK. I have a nice 2007 Redfire GT/CS. I'm new to the S197. Where does the temperature needle sit on these cars in normal running mode. Todays temp here was 10c or around 52F. My gauge sits at 45% from cold, is this normal? Or hot?

 

[WJBertrand]

Looks normal to me.


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[Samos3]

That's about where mine sits.
Be aware, though, most gauges like that now are not really gauges. More like three position warning lights. They will read 'cold' or 'normal' or ' hot', not a real sweep that gradually moves around to indicate temp. If you are running a little hot they will still sit at ' normal' until you are definitely hot and then move.
I cannot say that the Mustang gauge is one of those or not, so until that is confirmed, don't take that needle position to be an absolute indication.

 

[Racer47]

^^^ It is exactly this. By the time the gauge actually reads hot, you will probably have already known that it has overheated.

 

[Jwood562]

looks normal.

also are there any UK spec parts different from US?

Back in my honda days that was all the craze, JDM and UKDM rare parts

 

[WJBertrand]

I don’t think Ford ever built a UK spec S197 since they didn’t officially export them to there. They didn’t start doing that until the S550 came out.


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[Jwood562]

I don’t think Ford ever built a UK spec S197 since they didn’t officially export them to there. They didn’t start doing that until the S550 came out.


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Ah, good to know. welcome to the s197 club

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Greetings all from the UK. I have a nice 2007 Redfire GT/CS. I'm new to the S197. Where does the temperature needle sit on these cars in normal running mode. Todays temp here was 10c or around 52F. My gauge sits at 45% from cold, is this normal? Or hot?

That's normal. The 4.6 3V engine came with a 192*F (89*C) and that's the temperature where the engine usually operates. The electric fan cycles on/off at regular intervals to maintain the temperature within a narrow range.

That's about where mine sits.
Be aware, though, most gauges like that now are not really gauges. More like three position warning lights. They will read 'cold' or 'normal' or ' hot', not a real sweep that gradually moves around to indicate temp. If you are running a little hot they will still sit at ' normal' until you are definitely hot and then move.
I cannot say that the Mustang gauge is one of those or not, so until that is confirmed, don't take that needle position to be an absolute indication.

The second line on the left that demarcates the beginning of the normal temperature zone is at ~140*F (65*C). Thereafter the gauge needle rises slowly until it hits the middle at ~195*F (90*C). I don't know at what temperature the needle will begin to move from the middle to the right (I've never experienced it and hope I never do!). My guess is that the far right of the normal temperature zone is at ~240*F (115*C) with the hot zone beginning at ~250*F (120*C).

also are there any UK spec parts different from US?

Nope. Since the S197 was never officially sold at Ford stealerships anywhere in Europe, all models that ARE in the old continent are US spec LHD personal imports with the engine rated at 300hp (304PS).

 

[DieHarder]

That's normal. The 4.6 3V engine came with a 192*F (89*C) and that's the temperature where the engine usually operates. The electric fan cycles on/off at regular intervals to maintain the temperature within a narrow range.

The second line on the left that demarcates the beginning of the normal temperature zone is at ~140*F (65*C). Thereafter the gauge needle rises slowly until it hits the middle at ~195*F (90*C). I don't know at what temperature the needle will begin to move from the middle to the right (I've never experienced it and hope I never do!). My guess is that the far right of the normal temperature zone is at ~240*F (115*C) with the hot zone beginning at ~250*F (120*C).

Nope. Since the S197 was never officially sold at Ford stealerships anywhere in Europe, all models that ARE in the old continent are US spec LHD personal imports with the engine rated at 300hp (304PS).

I have experienced an overheating condition once when the fan failed so I pulled over quick as soon as I noticed it. Luckily no engine damage. The gauge is analog and normally the needle sits in the center. I added another water temp sensor and placed it in the upper radiator hose which you can see just above the water tank. According to digital gauge (Innovate) I'm running around 180 deg moving at freeway speeds (replaced the thermostat) and up to 210 sitting in traffic where the fan will come on and cool it down to around 190 or thereabout. And I upgraded the fan to a 7 blade GT500 unit.

 

[KLJ777]

"And I upgraded the fan to a 7 blade GT500 unit."

How difficult was the swap ?

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

"And I upgraded the fan to a 7 blade GT500 unit."

It's literally plug n' play.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-8c607-msvt

 

[Juice]

Temp guage was always pointing 12 o'clock on mine at normal operating temp. Both, v6, and coyote.
However, the temp guage does actually work as a guage. I logged coolant temp on track after I noticed my temp guage climb on the backstretch at Watkins glen. Obd port confirmed my temps were climbing in to low 220* range. Made the guage reach about 2/3 of normal. It also climbs gradually from cold to operting temp, matching the temp of heat from the climate controls.

 

[JC SSP]

It's literally plug n' play.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-8c607-msvt

Great upgrade for outstanding cooling. Did it on my 05’ and never had any issues. Also the GT500 has four spring loaded doors which I assume are for high speed air to pass through but could never find any info on it.

 

[JC SSP]

GT500 top and stock bottom. (Pic off internet)

 

[Samos3]

Well, I'm glad to hear the temp gauge is an actual gauge.

 

[Pentalab]

On my 2010 (4.6L), temp gauge is just below 1/2. Only time I had it higher than that, was when the resistor for the low speed fan circuit burned up, along with the relay that shunts out the same resistor. At that point the entire heat gauge turns RED. It will also go into limp mode, shutting off every 2nd cyl.

It's an actual gauge. I can match / corelate temp readings with my aeroforce gauges plugged into obd port.

 

[dark steed]

Well, I'm glad to hear the temp gauge is an actual gauge.

Me too, I know the oil pressure gauge is not.


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[Pentalab]

Me too, I know the oil pressure gauge is not.


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My oil gauge does not budge, once eng on, regardless of rpm. With eng on, gauge reads midway..and stays put. What the hell was ford thinking ?

 

[highlander19]

My oil gauge does not budge, once eng on, regardless of rpm. With eng on, gauge reads midway..and stays put. What the hell was ford thinking ?

The oil pressure gauge on Mustangs has basically been an off/on switch since at least 1979.

 

[Juice]

On my fox, the factory oil pressure gauge used to work, with the factory bell shaped oil sender. Those used to go bad often. When I had to replace it, I had to get a smaller replacement "updated" sender. Gauge now just sits in the middle.