5.0l swap overheating
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
5.0l swap overheating
The problem I have right now is my '84 Bronco II is overheating after running for a short time. It has a 5.0l from an '87 Mercury Cougar. When I drive it for 10 or 15 minutes, it will get so hot that it will stall itself out if I let off the gas and then will just barely crank over once it stalls out. It seems like there is an enormous amount of drag on the starter at this point. I have to wait for it to cool down to start back up. The overflow reservoir is full of boiling coolant when it stalls out.
Everything gets so hot that I can't even get the distributor out. I have just had the radiator cleaned out (they said it was pretty dirty), I flushed the engine, and moved the electric fan to the hot side of the radiator. The thermostat is new.
Has anyone had this problem before? I dont know where to go with this. Any help is appreciated.
Everything gets so hot that I can't even get the distributor out. I have just had the radiator cleaned out (they said it was pretty dirty), I flushed the engine, and moved the electric fan to the hot side of the radiator. The thermostat is new.
Has anyone had this problem before? I dont know where to go with this. Any help is appreciated.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 29
From: Raleigh USA
Did you keep the serpentine belt setup from the Cougar? The water pump is reverse rotation so if you swapped to v-belts then it is turning backwards. Maybe there is a air pocket in the engine. Take off the heater hose near the thermostat when you fill it up with coolant until coolant comes out of the fitting in the intake. Are you using antifreeze or plain water? Water boils at 212 degrees while a 50/50 mix boils at close to 270. Plain water can boil in the heads and the steam will create a air pocket. Good luck
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
The setup is just like it was in the Cougar. Everything is the same. I used 50/50 mix and can see the coolant circulate through the radiator the correct way. So I take it that means the pump is working properly.
I have even thought that maybe since the starter is so close to the long tube headers that maybe it is getting hot and dragging, but that still doesn't explain why the engine is overheating. I am going to try to build some kind of heat shield or get some heat wrap and put it on the starter to see if that helps.
I dont know where to go next. Everything I check seems to be working as it should be.
I have even thought that maybe since the starter is so close to the long tube headers that maybe it is getting hot and dragging, but that still doesn't explain why the engine is overheating. I am going to try to build some kind of heat shield or get some heat wrap and put it on the starter to see if that helps.
I dont know where to go next. Everything I check seems to be working as it should be.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 2
From: Cookstown
I used to get heat soak on my starter when i had Heddman Headers on my truck which would cause the motor to drag when trying to start it after she's warmed up. You didn't by any chance put the thermostat in backwards?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Are you using the old 2.8s radiator?...........if so, it is completely inadequate for cooling a 302, it can barely cool a 2.8.
Other radiators that will work are from explorer and 3.8 T-birds.
Other radiators that will work are from explorer and 3.8 T-birds.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
The radiator in it is aftermarket and it plenty big to cool the engine. The guy who cleaned it also said the same thing because his 5.0 H.O. mustang has a radiator about half this size.
The thermostat is in correct.
I will look at the bottom hose tommorrow when its warmed up. I will be dragging logs out of the woods tommorrow with it.
The thermostat is in correct.
I will look at the bottom hose tommorrow when its warmed up. I will be dragging logs out of the woods tommorrow with it.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater, Oklahoma
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Well I took it out yesterday to drag up logs and the thing still overheats after 15 minutes. I checked the bottom hose and it did not suck tight. I did notice that there was a lot of pressure built up in it this time. I also noticed that the hoses weren't too terribly hot to the touch, at least not boiling. I could wrap my hand around it for a second or two before it got kinda hot. I'll stop at the parts store today and get a new cap and thermostat.
As for the fan's CFM, I have no idea how much it pushes. There is no tag on it. It feels like a lot though
. I can feel it sucking on the outside of the radiator.
As for the fan's CFM, I have no idea how much it pushes. There is no tag on it. It feels like a lot though
. I can feel it sucking on the outside of the radiator.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Well, I took the thermostat out and also installed a new gauge because I didnt trust the stock gauge. I drove around for a while today in low range and noticed that the temperature never got above 175 degrees, no matter how much I was in the throttle. I guess I found the first part of the problem. 
Now all I have to do is determine why the engine cranks slow when it gets warmed up. I am assuming it could be the starter and its close proximity to the headers. Ill try to get some kind of a shield to put around that to keep it a little cooler. If this doesnt cure it, does any one have any other ideas?
Now all I have to do is determine why the engine cranks slow when it gets warmed up. I am assuming it could be the starter and its close proximity to the headers. Ill try to get some kind of a shield to put around that to keep it a little cooler. If this doesnt cure it, does any one have any other ideas?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
53Merc
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
1
Sep 21, 2004 07:14 AM
kingskip01
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
10
Aug 6, 2003 12:40 PM
GRN1995_F-150
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jun 25, 2003 06:59 PM
Sam
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Oct 26, 1999 01:07 AM
