250 Degrees
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 70
From: Santa Clarita
250 Degrees
My temperature gauge shows this as the normal operating temperature of my 460 motor.
Before this was the norm, the truck overheated in 30 degree weather when the thermostat got stuck and I started driving in the hills. I replaced the thermostat with a 195 and have run the truck in weather from 5 degrees to 75 degrees since that day and it still registers the same ~250 degrees.
The radiator does not boil over, it holds pressure fine. I am not sure how many pounds my radiator cap is and my truck is not close by right now to check. Assuming I have a 15 pound cap and a 60% antifreeze mix with water, I believe my boiling point would be about 270 degrees. Does that sounds right?
So am I constantly running in the danger zone and begging for a serious problem to occur? Could I have cooked the temperature sending unit when it overheated and now I need a new one? Any other theories?
Before this was the norm, the truck overheated in 30 degree weather when the thermostat got stuck and I started driving in the hills. I replaced the thermostat with a 195 and have run the truck in weather from 5 degrees to 75 degrees since that day and it still registers the same ~250 degrees.
The radiator does not boil over, it holds pressure fine. I am not sure how many pounds my radiator cap is and my truck is not close by right now to check. Assuming I have a 15 pound cap and a 60% antifreeze mix with water, I believe my boiling point would be about 270 degrees. Does that sounds right?
So am I constantly running in the danger zone and begging for a serious problem to occur? Could I have cooked the temperature sending unit when it overheated and now I need a new one? Any other theories?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 70
From: Santa Clarita
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,305
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From: Montgomery, IL
I wonder if when it overheated it dislodged something in the system and now there is some gunk blocking the coolant from flowing properly in the radiator. If there is a radiator shop near you take it to them and have them boil it out. The shop by me charges like $25.00 to do that.
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Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Raphine, Virginia
I find it hard to believe that is accurate. Oil pressure would have to be down and probably smoking. Dipstick too hot to even touch without burning you. If you know anyone with a infrared thermometer, read the inlet/outlet hose temps.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 70
From: Santa Clarita
I haven't looked at my truck in a few weeks, but I got out to take a look at it today.
With the engine cold (sitting for weeks without running), the temperature gauge says 210 degrees, so I know its bad.
I have another temperature gauge that I'll stick on it, and that should be the end of this little saga.
With the engine cold (sitting for weeks without running), the temperature gauge says 210 degrees, so I know its bad.
I have another temperature gauge that I'll stick on it, and that should be the end of this little saga.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 502
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+1 or many on the laser temp. guns, always double check, or more. I put a known used electrical guage/sender on my bigblock, it is reading high, which worried me to no end, until I checked with a couple of different laser guns, to be sure.
Thought it was hot, it was just right!
I checked intake water passage, sending unit, thermostat housing hoses, rad, cylinder heads, etc.
Makes me wonder about all guages, let alone the factory one.
Going to try and "adjust" my electrical temp guage with a potentiometer. The guage is made by VDO. And carry a damn laser temp. gun.
Thought it was hot, it was just right!
I checked intake water passage, sending unit, thermostat housing hoses, rad, cylinder heads, etc.
Makes me wonder about all guages, let alone the factory one.
Going to try and "adjust" my electrical temp guage with a potentiometer. The guage is made by VDO. And carry a damn laser temp. gun.
Last edited by Thunderjet4x4; Aug 11, 2012 at 01:30 AM. Reason: forgot
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