460 Temp
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 40
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460 Temp
Hi all. I've now got about 100 miles on the rebuild, and she runs great. I am wondering about normal operating temps for this motor. I've done a bit of searching and see varying responses. This motor is running at around 220 degrees while driving down the road at about 65, and about 212 while idling. I replaced the t-stat with a 190 degree one last year when I had the heads done. These temps are pretty much the same as what I was getting before the rebuild. Do these temps seem a bit high, or is that ok? The only common denominator is the radiator, which was in the truck when I bought it. It's not the original, but I think still has a few years on it. I don't want to plunk down $300 if it's not going to get me anything.
BTW, this is an 83 F250.
Thanks.
BTW, this is an 83 F250.
Thanks.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
39 posts in almost two years on FTE and you still haven't finished filling out your profile to tell us where you're at. Anchorage & Tucson have two interpretations of "normal."
I guess this doesn't really surprise me as you don't seem to do anything to help others here, all you do is leech from the knowledge base. Possibly somebody will help you, possibly not...
I guess this doesn't really surprise me as you don't seem to do anything to help others here, all you do is leech from the knowledge base. Possibly somebody will help you, possibly not...
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Sorry to be such a bother. I know it was a requirement to fill out a profile. I don't know what difference it makes where I am. I hardly consider myself an expert on this stuff, which is why I tend not to help others. I come here for useful information, which is what I usually get until now. I suppose I should be versed in proper forum etiquette, but I'd much rather be doing something useful.
Thanks for nothing.
Thanks for nothing.
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
Likes: 11
From: Exmore, VA
FWIW, your location can have a big effect on normal temperatures. If you would be kind enough to at least let us know, there are a lot of us on here willing to help, but that kind of attitude will get you nothing, so you're welcome.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,462
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From: Richmond
To add onto what Bill and Chris said:
Not sure on Ford, but a lot of manufacturers were cranking out cars with different thermostats. Especially in the days of very early injection and computer monitoring, aka our trucks. Altitude, climate, and temp mattered.
I had a car that had a 92*C thermostat. Parts company in Texas assumed it was 6 of 1, and sent me a 97* thermostat. OE for New England cars. At 97 the car would get too hot and start to boil over in the summer.
It's hard enough to diagnosis something. That's why FTE exists, and you're here. When asking someone to diagnosis sight unseen it's only fair for them to ask for info.
Not sure on Ford, but a lot of manufacturers were cranking out cars with different thermostats. Especially in the days of very early injection and computer monitoring, aka our trucks. Altitude, climate, and temp mattered.
I had a car that had a 92*C thermostat. Parts company in Texas assumed it was 6 of 1, and sent me a 97* thermostat. OE for New England cars. At 97 the car would get too hot and start to boil over in the summer.
It's hard enough to diagnosis something. That's why FTE exists, and you're here. When asking someone to diagnosis sight unseen it's only fair for them to ask for info.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Answered above.
FTE is aiming to build a community of enthusiasts. This means a community in which people share a hobby, help each other, BS with each other. People get to know each other as people and sometimes travel around the country to see/meet each other.
People who occasionally come here only to ask questions and get free help are leeches.
People do this and are usually helped, anyway, but not always and there is no guarantee. Not providing basic diagnostic information related to the question asked will only get you shots in the dark at best.
New User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
460 hi temp problem?
I have an 87 f250 with a new rebuild about 600 miles on it now. The motor runs fine but I am concerned about the temp... running on the free way it stays around 190 or so. In the city the temp cruises pretty quick up to 220..the factory calls for a 195 t-stat but i am running a 180 instead. The engine hasnt boiled over or ran "hot" but the temp just seems too high in the city and makes me nervous as hell 
..especially stop light to stop light..any help would be appreciated..Thanks..dave p.s. im new to this sight so i apologize for my ignorance at this point 
..especially stop light to stop light..any help would be appreciated..Thanks..dave p.s. im new to this sight so i apologize for my ignorance at this point
Last edited by dbel723333; Jul 7, 2012 at 09:57 PM. Reason: new to sight
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 69
From: New Zealand
At 600 miles it should be beginning to free up, but a newly rebuilt engine always runs significantly warmer than a worn one, due to extra friction from the tight tolerances (pistons in the bore).
Stop/start city driving in summer will naturally aggravate this.
Years ago I nearly boiled a freshly rebored engine, because I reused the old radiator, which had previously cooled the worn engine fine.
Stop/start city driving in summer will naturally aggravate this.
Years ago I nearly boiled a freshly rebored engine, because I reused the old radiator, which had previously cooled the worn engine fine.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Im not sure here. Are you saying that i should look into the radiator? Thought about pulling it out and having it gone through anyway. Never thought about the tight tolerances from a new build. It's above 100 degrees here now so i expect it would get a bit hot anyway.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 69
From: New Zealand
I just mean that with a new & tight engine, you need to expect it to be operating hotter until it has run in.
So if you have any doubts about the condition of your radiator, then I would definitely address it - especially with summer temps & city driving.
So if you have any doubts about the condition of your radiator, then I would definitely address it - especially with summer temps & city driving.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: Verona, Ky
As for not knowing a whole lot I don't think the guys on here really care so much so long as you are active. I know I don't know much past the vehicles I work on (I'm a wheeled vehicle mechanic for the Army) and it really limits my knowledge on FTE.
All that aside I know diesels run hotter than gas engines, and my 5 ton (I'm also a driver) runs at about 220 in 140 degree weather. With that being said it is still military equipment, which is poorly treated to say the least. (per Glen's post as to tolerances)
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
I have an 87 f250 with a new rebuild about 600 miles on it now. The motor runs fine but I am concerned about the temp... running on the free way it stays around 190 or so. In the city the temp cruises pretty quick up to 220..the factory calls for a 195 t-stat but i am running a 180 instead. The engine hasnt boiled over or ran "hot" but the temp just seems too high in the city and makes me nervous as hell ..especially stop light to stop light..any help would be appreciated..Thanks..dave p.s. im new to this sight so i apologize for my ignorance at this point
..especially stop light to stop light..any help would be appreciated..Thanks..dave p.s. im new to this sight so i apologize for my ignorance at this point Make sure you have a factory fan shroud, it's very important. Then make sure your fan clutch is working properly. Most working fan clutches make a terrible air noise when you first start them in the morning, and then then the noise goes away unless it gets hot enough for them to kick in.
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
Likes: 11
From: Exmore, VA
I second what Dave says, I don't know about yours, but on my 86 in hot weather with the AC on, my clutch fan will raise all sorts of noise (sounds like one of NASA Langley's wind tunnels) up to about 45-50mph. You can actually hear it pick up when stopped at a light, the fan noise will suddenly increase. I would check it, the easiest way is with the engine hot, first rev it up and see if the fan picks up with the engine rpm, then shut it off. If the fan clutch is good, the fan should stop very quickly, if it spins for a while, the clutch is bad.
If the clutch is bad, do yourself a favor and get a good thermal replacement. Too bad you're out west, I have a extra fan shroud for a 460.
If the clutch is bad, do yourself a favor and get a good thermal replacement. Too bad you're out west, I have a extra fan shroud for a 460.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: Verona, Ky
Maybe this would even help assuming its the fan clutch, and your shroud is good; all time fan with the flex blades? I think it would be better for city use. The reason I say is because at low rpms, and low speeds it will always operate while at higher speeds the blades will flex to keep from pushing to much air.
I also had an issue with my 78 running to hot because it was missing the fan shroud. I bought it that way back when I was in high school. I now currently hav a 1980 with the 460 BB and I've never had an issue with it running hot.
I do have issues with HMMWV's do to sand build up in the radiator. That and some people think its a great idea to clean them out with pressure washers which fold the fins over. Then they come to me and ask why their HMMWV overheats. I usually hand then a fin comb and tell them to have fun. I will admit I will take that over the guy who filled the tranny up with engine oil in a HMMWV. Tried flushing that out a few times, but it was to late. Had to change the tranny out.
I also had an issue with my 78 running to hot because it was missing the fan shroud. I bought it that way back when I was in high school. I now currently hav a 1980 with the 460 BB and I've never had an issue with it running hot.
I do have issues with HMMWV's do to sand build up in the radiator. That and some people think its a great idea to clean them out with pressure washers which fold the fins over. Then they come to me and ask why their HMMWV overheats. I usually hand then a fin comb and tell them to have fun. I will admit I will take that over the guy who filled the tranny up with engine oil in a HMMWV. Tried flushing that out a few times, but it was to late. Had to change the tranny out.
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
Likes: 11
From: Exmore, VA
I had a flex fan on my 64 Falcon 260 V8, it was one of the early flex-a-lite fiberglass ones, threw three blades on me one day and took out the upper radiator hose. Never again. I have also seen the factory metal ones Ford used fatigue the flex blade and break off.