I believe I need a new radiator but just curious as to what else could be the problem. The truck temp gauge is fine until I hook 5 grand to it and try and pull on the interstate then it over heats rather quickly in like 10 minutes or less.

It is a 94 T IDI.

Are any of the 200 $ Ebay Rads worth a hoot? Thanks for info.

 

Could be your thermostat not opening all the way. If you replace it, get a motorcraft one. The aftermarket ones are known to fail or not work from new.
I'm not sure which rad you are looking at on ebayn, but there was a discussion here recently about ones on ebay or amazon or something. I think they were champion brand and had pretty good reviews... Maybe someone else remembers more details.

 

Second that.

Kinda weird the OP would jump to the conclusion that the radiator is bad? ???

there must be more of a backstory. The T-stat is so easy to replace, he must have already done that and he's still getting overheating issues, but that would leave me to believe his new t-stat is one of the aftermarket or a bad motorcraft one. Always test a new motorcraft (or any) t-stat in some boiling water to verify it's function.

 

Thanks for the help, when I bought the truck I had a tech look it over and he said the Rad was suspect and could used to be replaced.

 

Is it actually over-heating, like steam coming out from under the hood, etc? Or is the temp gauge showing high temps? I ask because the factory temp gauge is an unreliable indicator of engine temps. Get an aftermarket gauge and replace the thermostat with the correct Motorcraft part before you go with a new radiator. You may find there's nothing wrong with the rad. My truck acted the same as you describe last year, I initially thought it was a rad problem, it was the thermostat, and the factory gauge.

 

I recommend the after market guage aswell. My truck used to overheat when you put the headlights on.

 

No it gets hot, I will change the thermostat. Thanks

 

easiest way to tell a bad radiator is to get it up to operating temperature, then "shoot" the radiator with an infrared thermometer.
you should have even temps across the radiator. the top should be the hottest, and the bottom should be the coolest.
read across the radiator from side to side. if you have hot and cold spots in the same line, the cold spot tubes will be plugged.
if the temps are even side to side from top to bottom with top hot and bottom cooler, the radiator is fine.

 

even a new in the box t-stat can be bad
best to do the hot water test before installing one

 

Thanks.nnnnnnnnnnnn

 

its rare but water pumps can electrolysis and begin to pump weakly, or your temp gauge could be lying to you. a thermostat is a good idea, rad could be gummed up.

 

I am having the same issue.

My plan of attack is change thermostat, recheck fan clutch, new fan clutch, then radiator from there.