I have an 86 F-150 4X4 with a 300 6 cylinder engine. Everything
on the engine is brand new. After installation the engine runs
hot. I know that a new engine will run hotter than one that has
been broken in but this thing is getting hot to the point of
wasting my investment. There is good flow through the radiator and the truck will run at normal temeratures until I take it on
the road. Radiator ? Catalitic Converter(s)? Help !!!!!!!!!

 

try and find raditor with copper side they are true 2 cores then replace the thermast ihave bought 3 bad ones one after in a row

 

Is it possible you put the thermostat in backwards??

John

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 10-Aug-01 AT 08:44 AM (EST)[/font][p]I took the thermostat out. Thought it might be backwards. It was
bad. Truck still gets too hot for my comfort. The truck has dual
converters and I don't have the cash to go to the dealer.This
project thas been do it myself(with help from friends) from the beginning.

 

Would it be possible the clutch fan is not locking up, bizzare but anything is possible I guess? I would try a new radiator or newer. Good luck hope you figure it out

 

Forgot to mention what are your laws in your area? I would cut the cats off and bypass with a pipe, shouldn't cost much to go to a shop and have them prepare a piece of pipe by enlarging the ends so you could slip it on the existing pipe then clamp it down. How did the vehicle run before?? Again good luck

 

The fan is working fine. I heard that bad catalytic converters
can cause an engine to overheat. Is that true? The muffler and pipes are rusted and need to be replaced from sitting idle so long.

 

There are no inspections in our state. Did not have an overheating problem before the new motor as far as I know.

 

Take the thermostat back and exchange it to be sure they did not give you a bad one it is possible. Take the cat off it could be the reason it is not running properly. Check the temp gauge wire etc. to make sure it is not a false reading. It should not run too hot cause I have and electric fan hooked up and to be honest I have yet to turn it on unless I kick the air on. I do not want to insult you in any way but is the belt run on it properly? Just trying to check the basics. Is the compression been upped considerably? Good luck though

 

jwtaylor,
Thanks for your input. I started with the basics(belts, thermostat, etc) now I am into the big stuff. I am going to take the radiator out and have it flow tested. I am also going to cut the cats off Monday and see if that may contribute to the problem. The motor is fresh and so is the water pump. The only things left that are not new are the radiator and the cats. I replaced the motor myself(with friends and a good manual)and we took our time and went through everything except those 2 items. The carb is new, the clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing are new, alternator is new.

Thanks again,

erich64
86' F-150 4x4
4-speed
300-6 cylinder

 

Well hope you figure it out. If everything is new and your sure everything is set then it would have to be the cat or radiator. How long did your exhaust sit exposed? A creature of some sort could have made a home of the piping or convertor. Again good luck. If you figure it out please post the solution to the problem I am really curious about your dilema. Good luck

 

 

jwtaylor,

I cut the cats off my truck yesterday and they were shot. I took
my radiator to the shop this morning and just got the call that it needs to be rodded in a bad way. The shop will have the radiator back to me Wednesday and I already purchased a pipe and
a muffler to be installed Thursday on my day off so I can borrow
my buddies' pipe bender. I'll let you know what happens Thursday
afternoon when I fire it up and test drive it.

Thanks again for your suggestions :-)

erich64

 

Sounds like there are better days ahead for your truck. Thanks for keeping me posted, good luck

 

JW

I got the new radiator and mufflers on my truck and it runs great. Thanks for your help

erich64