hey guys im haveing problems with my 390 running hot after i put rings in it im adding a VDO temp gauge tomorow for diagnostics not to metion ive been wanting one, just wondered where to install the temp probe and still retain function of the factory dash gauge? any insight to why its running much hotter would also be apeciated

 

My first guess would be a leaky head gasket. Perhaps try re-torquing the heads?

 

heads are torqed to spec ....no oil in water and no water in oil plus it isnt steaming out the tail pipe

 

Did you make sure you installed the head gaskets the right direction?

 

yea im 99% shure i did couse in doing so i remember permatex squishing into the water jacket port and cussing it lol otherwise i wouldnt have remembered

 

Found a pic on the Ford FE forums of correctly installed head gaskets... look at the tab



And here is INCORRECT...



Notice the difference?

Josh

 

And here is what I was talking about in PM, the coolant flows directly from the pump right into the intake...



Correctly intalled head gasket... notice front coolant port is blocked off making the coolant flow thru to the back of the block and then up and forward thru the cylinder head. And then the coolant can pass up into the intake and out the t-stat.



Josh

 

Check your timing. Too much advance will cause over heat issues too.

 

i will check all of those things today prety shure the head gaskets are on correctly the felpros i used were stamped with "front" and an arrow

 

What degree thermostat are you running? Did you notice what the degree was on the old unit? Stamped on the bottom. Maybe they had the wrong one in the box? Maybe faulty?

What temp are you running at now? Then?

New gauge. What was your old gauge? Factory or?

Glad to hear your head gaskets are on correctly!

 

i bought a aftermarket VDO gauge today (70 frikin bucks! ) anyway i went throug a fiasco to get the correct fittings and what not to get it all hooked up without leaks, but when all said and done after it started and the t-stat reached a equal librium it was holding steady at 195-200

 

Nice! And all that because of the factory weather gauge... I mean temp gauge

Josh

 

couldnt be more true!

 

Awesome. Tearing down a fresh engine in the truck is such a PITA. Glad you got it figured out.