air flaps, how to verify position of right flap Options

[luskesq]

After working through a number of issues with my ’70 1.7 F.I., it is running great. I have a concern however with regard to whether it is running too hot. My weather right now in the Central Valley of CA (with the exception of rain today) is in the mid-90’s and breaking the century mark is not an unusual event. After idling for maybe 5 minutes and taking a moderate 2 mile run, when I shut it off it seems like the engine is putting out an inordinate amount of radiant heat. Timing I believe is spot on and there are no apparent rags, leaves, debris, etc. floating around under the tins.

I have not inspected yet but suspect the thermostat is not functioning. If I understand from reading various threads however, and although there are conflicting opinions, there should be no problem if the thermostat fails because the cooling flaps are supposed to end up in a default position as if the engine is already warmed up. Meaning the left flap is up and the right flap is down to pull air through the oil cooler. I have confirmed (by touch reaching through spark plug access hole) that the left flap is up (vertical). I am assuming (I understand the caveat) that the right flap is down in the proper position. How can I confirm that the flap is down short of removing the tin? I tried a mirror into the #4 plug hole (after pulling out a Bosch plug that the PO left there, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) but couldn’t see anything.

Sorry for being long-winded. Any help will be appreciated.

Keith

[VaccaRabite]

How do you know the thermostat has failed? Have you tested it? Is it hooked up?
If the thermostat is not expanding as it should and the wire is in place your flaps will not open. If the thermostat is not hooked up and the flaps are in place they will already be open.
All this is meaningless however if you don't know about what temp the engine is running at. The engine will put off radiant heat at shutdown. Operational head temps at around 350 degrees and oil temps will be ~200. That is going to throw off heat even on a 90 degree day. Before you assume things are broken (unless you can see they are early broken) you need to get a functional engine thermostat. Mainley sells a dipstick thermometer that gives you oil temps, though you have to get out of the car to read it. It's a start.

So, is the thermostat on the car hooked up and the wire going to the flaps?
Zach