I've got a '76 Ford F150, 360, 4x4, etc etc.

The truck's coolant temp sensor never worked, so I replaced it and noticed it was overheating... big time overheating; the needle goes all the way up to the top of the temp gauge and doesn't come down. I replaced the Radiator (previous one was leaking, and the PO tried fixing with JB Weld ), brand new NAPA Water Pump, Fail-Safe Thermostat, and Gates HD Radiator Hoses. After putting all that into the truck, it still overheats.

Here's what I know:
-- I took the Radiator Cap off of the Radiator while the engine was running (I let it cool down of course) and the Coolant was at a stand-still. After a while, the thermostat opened and the coolant started flowing (I think it was from Left to Right).
-- Radiator leaks a little antifreeze, I fill it up to the brim when I check the coolant though... Doesn't leak much coolant, few drops per drive.
-- Fan shroud is broken on the top. From about the very top; flat part of the mounting holes, to the top of the round part is broken. I was thinking that might be my problem, but I don't know if that would really help since the fan still puts out plenty of air.

any suggestions will be appreciated, I plan on ordering a new fan shroud in any case-scenario. I just don't want to wreck the engine, 55k on original engine and doesn't burn any oil.

 

You shouldn't be filling up the radiator all the way. I don't have the exact measure handy, but I believe the fill line is somewhere around 3/8" below the top of the radiator (not the top of the neck). If you're filling it all the way up, it's just puking some when it heats up.

Don't trust the stock gauge, accuracy shouldn't even be used in the same sentence as stock gauge. An aftermarket gauge can tell you the real temp.

 

When I got my truck, I too thought it was running hot but I didnt trust the original gauge as the motor just didnt seem as hot as the gauge was reading. I put a set of manual gauges in and a T stat and it stays at 190-195 degrees once it warms up. Also, if you fill the radiator to the brim, its going to puke out the overflow, about an inch from the top is where it should be. So my point is, are you sure its overheating or is it possibly a bad reading on the gauge? These gauges are notorious for giving false readings, particularly after 35 years.

 

I am not 100% sure if it's just a bad gauge reading, although I hope that's just all it is. I would wire in a set of aftermarket gauges, but I am color-blind and wiring is definitely not my strong point.

The engine doesn't seem like it is overheating though, that's kind of what is confusing me about all of this. Should I just not worry about it? If all else fails, I'll disconnect that temp sensor so it doesn't worry me.

 

You're not gonna mo much wiring for an aftermarket gauge. Just screw the sensor into the proper place and run the wire into the cab to the gauge. Ground the gauge and hook up the backlight it you want.

 

Go get a manual gauge, you will have to drill out a big enough hole in the firewall ( I drilled an existing hole to the size in the instructions with a circle cutter bit (?) ) and the sensor will screw into the same spot the elec. factory sensor is on the intake, no wiring needed.

 

Thank you for your replies, I will go buy a mechanical water temperature gauge and hook it up tomorrow.

 

Mechanical=no wires, elec= 1 wire, your call

 

You could buy or borrow a handheld tempeture gun and shoot the engine in various places. We use this method a lot at work to diagnose overheating engines. Good luck