running hot. real hot
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From: East Tn
running hot. real hot
I pulled a 83 f150 out of a field 3 weeks ago and got it running. I put a mechanical water temp gage it today and took it for a test drive. The temp hit 230 before I got it back home and pegged the Gage after I turned it off. The upper hose it hot and the water stayed inside. Where do I start and did I hurt the engine?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
Could be several things, but here are three of the top ones:
- Stuck thermostat. Change it out ASAP with a 192/195 degree 'stat. On a 302 you'll want to make sure and get a self-adhesived gasket since the 'stat goes in standing up.
- Rotted-off impeller on the water pump. If it sat with just water instead of antifreeze in it the water pump may not have an impellor left. Change it if the 'stat doesn't fix it.
- Collapsing radiator hose. As the hoses get old they can easily collapse and seal the flow off.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Pueblo, CO
A field? Take an air hose and blow out the fins from the back, your radiator is probably plugged up with dirt and whatnot. Don't try and rise it out, it'll just make it harder to get out.
I used to work in a shop in a rural farming town and the boss-man took and air nozzle and rigged a long tube to the end to get at the backside of radiators.
I used to work in a shop in a rural farming town and the boss-man took and air nozzle and rigged a long tube to the end to get at the backside of radiators.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: East Tn
Could be several things, but here are three of the top ones:
- Stuck thermostat. Change it out ASAP with a 192/195 degree 'stat. On a 302 you'll want to make sure and get a self-adhesived gasket since the 'stat goes in standing up.
- Rotted-off impeller on the water pump. If it sat with just water instead of antifreeze in it the water pump may not have an impellor left. Change it if the 'stat doesn't fix it.
- Collapsing radiator hose. As the hoses get old they can easily collapse and seal the flow off.
Fleet Mechanic
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Stock thermostats are 192 degrees as they came from Ford. A colder thermostat, such as one low as 160 degrees, can mean that the motor won't be properly warmed up, resulting in bad gas mileage, lower vacuum, and less power. The primary reason for lower vacuum and bad gas mileage is because the fuel isn't vaporizing/atomizing properly. On the 302, 351, 400, and 460 V8 engines, as well as pretty much any gasoline V8 without a high rise/air gap intake has the intake plenum positioned so that it heats up with the motor. This prevents fuel from puddling on the plenum which is bad in low RPM street applications. You can burn vapor, but you can't burn liquid as easily.
It can be a bad/stuck thermostat, clogged radiator (internally or externally), bad hoses, or a bad waterpump.
The first thing I'd do is replace the thermostat and hoses and do a full back-flow coolant flush to remove all the gunk. Then, make sure the radiator is clean as possible.
Also, it would be wise to check your timing and fuel mixture. Lean fuel mixtures and badly set timing can result in higher temperatures. Also check for EGR valve function if present.
This should get you on the right track.
It can be a bad/stuck thermostat, clogged radiator (internally or externally), bad hoses, or a bad waterpump.
The first thing I'd do is replace the thermostat and hoses and do a full back-flow coolant flush to remove all the gunk. Then, make sure the radiator is clean as possible.
Also, it would be wise to check your timing and fuel mixture. Lean fuel mixtures and badly set timing can result in higher temperatures. Also check for EGR valve function if present.
This should get you on the right track.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
I've seen studies where the efficiency of an engine is much lower at 160 than at 195, which is the temp at which they were designed to run. On top of that, the engine won't get truly warm with a 160 degree 'stat and you won't drive off the moisture from the oil. If you want to go lower than 195 then maybe 180, but not 160.
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