Operating Temp for a model 50

My model 50 came to me without the radiator shutters. Its a 1953 model and so it predates the automobile styled theromstat that controls coolant flow. I just got a used set of shutters that I'm going to install soon but I don't really trust that old rusty mechanical thermostat arrangement. I'm planning on installing a manual control rod where I can be sure the shutters are closed or open at any given time.

My question is, what is the normal operating temperature for the model 50? Running without shutters my 50 won't even reach 140 degrees and requires a pretty rich mixture to run under load. I'm hoping that regulating the temp will allow me to lean things up a bit.

This brings me to another question, how long does it take for a 50 to reach operating temperature? Seems like it's going to take forever to heat up those 7 gallons of coolant!

Thanks,
John

The JD manual sets freezing as the point to turn on the manifold heat; probably assumes a normally balanced mixture and say 50% humidty. In dry cold you won't need it 'til the temp approaches 0.

You'll notice fuel mixture requirements differ by air density from summer to winter. The cold, dense air requires more fuel for the same mixture ratio. Humidity has a similar effect by displacing air with water molecules. What may have been too rich a few weeks ago, might be just right today. If you've ever flown a piston driven bird, you'll remember changing the mixture by the numbers on the EGT gauge temp as the best way to do it, and applying carb heat as temp and dew point get within "20" of one another, with 20/20 being the condition that most requires carb heat. Obviously your 50 isn't going to fall out of the sky - but if you're tuning your mixture like it could; those are the parameters to use.

Mooney 505Lima out...

From a 60 owner -- I think if you check, you'll find 50's, 60's, etc. have way more coolant capacity per cu. in. that any car or truck you've worked on. My 60 will run at 180 to 190 all day long when it's over 90 degrees outside.

Guessing you're in a colder ambient temp right now. Put cardboard, or green plastic trash bags or something in front of the screen until it warms up, and until you get your shutters installed.

The running rich while cold under load doesn't sound right. Are you saying you have to keep the choke on? Or, adjust the carb? Normally, a rich mixture runs cool - a lean mixture runs hot. Could indicate other problems.

But.. deal with one variable at a time instead of trying to fix many things at once -- then you don't have so many variables up in the air that you don't know what worked, and what didn't. Try occluding the intake air to get it up past 140 -- maybe 160. If it's 30 to 40 some degrees outside, that may be the best you can do.

Once you get to that temp, and it may take a while, then start worrying about the mixture settings.

Steve