Notices

Over Heating Issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 8, 2010 | 02:22 PM
  #1  
1977F1504X4AUBURN's Avatar
1977F1504X4AUBURN
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Over Heating Issues

So, I have a 1977 F150 4x4 with a 400. I just replaced the thermostat with a Motorcraft RT139 with the spring going in the block. I am still overheating. I thought it was the temperature sending unit but it checks out. At this point should I be thinking about a rebuild?
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2010 | 04:09 PM
  #2  
6fifty_f1fifty's Avatar
6fifty_f1fifty
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
Are you losing coolant? Does the level of the radiator fluctuate? warm it up with the cap off and watch it lower and raise, also try bypassing the heater core, it could have a partial blockage...

If there is something wrong with the pump it should be obvious, but you never know.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2010 | 05:01 PM
  #3  
1977F1504X4AUBURN's Avatar
1977F1504X4AUBURN
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
The heater core is new. Not losing any coolant. When I let the truck warm up I can sit inside the cab and with the heater blowing and I can feel the heat increase as the truck starts to overheat. The fluid is flowing and doing it's job. I'm not losing oil either. It's at the same level from when I did the oil change. I'm getting stumped here ... frustrating.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2010 | 05:04 PM
  #4  
6fifty_f1fifty's Avatar
6fifty_f1fifty
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
is there a clutch on the fan?
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2010 | 05:36 PM
  #5  
1977F1504X4AUBURN's Avatar
1977F1504X4AUBURN
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
It doesn't have a clutch and it also doesn't have a shroud. I thought about the shroud but I'm having issues with it being 35 degrees outside (current) as apposed to 85 degrees during last summer.
 
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2010 | 06:13 PM
  #6  
1977F1504X4AUBURN's Avatar
1977F1504X4AUBURN
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
I have come to the conclusion that my over heating issues may be related to the engine timing. Isn't this thing supposed to ping if it's too advanced?
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 12:17 AM
  #7  
6fifty_f1fifty's Avatar
6fifty_f1fifty
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
it should, but I don't think that is related, the opposite is true though if it runs too hot it could detonate before it is supposed to...

Know what you mean about frustrating... I would have guessed that you still had air in the system but the fact that the heat works tells me otherwise.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 01:28 AM
  #8  
80broncoman's Avatar
80broncoman
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 898
Likes: 1
From: southeren Oh
what tells you it is over heating? the stock electric dash temp gauge?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 06:30 PM
  #9  
1977F1504X4AUBURN's Avatar
1977F1504X4AUBURN
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
6fifty;
That makes sense. I posted a thread a while ago about how I couldn't advance my distributor far enough without the vacuum advance hitting the thermostat inlet. I figure it has a cam and the PO didn't install the distributor at TDC.

80broncoman
After market. I bought a new sending unit also.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 08:22 PM
  #10  
i-w's Avatar
i-w
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 37
From: Northern Virginia.
Club FTE Gold Member
once you veryfy the timing is ok. how old is the radiator?
it it is original, you might need to just get it rodded out.
where they take the ends off and stick a brush of some type
through the inside of the radiator and get the build up out.
once it is done it will be like new!
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2010 | 08:18 PM
  #11  
danlee's Avatar
danlee
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 5
From: Delaware
Run yout hand across the radiator core when the motor is warm. It should be evenly warm. Any cold spots will indicate some blocked tubes.

Also if you can't turn the dist to set the timing, it could be due to a sloppy timing chain, and the cam and dist are retarded.

You can just move the plug wires one position, then rotate the distributor back so the vacuum advance points to the front. Set the crank to TDC with the rotor pointing to #1, then move the plug wires, then rotate the housing until the rotor again points to #1.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2010 | 07:13 PM
  #12  
1977F1504X4AUBURN's Avatar
1977F1504X4AUBURN
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Do you have trick to find TDC? I have seen the clear tube and oil trick but leaves a mess and your engine burns smoke afterwards.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2010 | 07:33 PM
  #13  
danlee's Avatar
danlee
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 5
From: Delaware
Originally Posted by 1977F1504X4AUBURN
Do you have trick to find TDC? I have seen the clear tube and oil trick but leaves a mess and your engine burns smoke afterwards.
At TDC the motor is on it's compression stroke on #1 cylinder. If you remove #1 spark plug and put your finger in the plug hole. you will feel the compression and a puff of air when the piston nears TDC. Then if you look at the marks on the damper, you should see the timing mark near the timing pointer. It works better if you rotate the crankshaft manually with a socket on the crank pulley bolt.

Another way is to remove the valve cover and observe the rockers on #1 cylinder. Since both valves are closed on the compression cycle, you can manually rotate the motor until both rockers stop moving and have a little play between them and the valve. again the timinh mark should be near the timing pointer.

TDC is where the Timing Pointer lines up with the 0 degree timing mark on the compression stroke.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2010 | 02:10 PM
  #14  
1977F1504X4AUBURN's Avatar
1977F1504X4AUBURN
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
I have a sneaky suspicion that the timing mark on the damper wont line up. I will take a look at it some time this week. I'm changing C bushings and radius bushings now.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2010 | 04:54 PM
  #15  
6fifty_f1fifty's Avatar
6fifty_f1fifty
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
The damper is keyed (or should be) to make it >improbable< that it isn't in the correct position.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:07 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE