goint 65mph on the highway today on a 65*F day my new mech water temp gauge at the stock position said the coolant is 210-215*F. the thermostat is a 180*F one. is the temp alright or alittle too high?

 

With just the info listed there, that seems maybe a little high for a 65 degree day, but then again I don't think either of my trucks runs at much different temp whether the temp outside is 30 or 95 so it is probably ok. Just because the thermostat opens at 180 doesn't mean it won't run hotter if it can't shed the heat. If it runs hotter in warmer weather, might want to do a chemical flush on the system.

 

I'd be wary of a temp like that on a cool day. If you can, check the condition of the tubes in the rad. If you see 'blooming' or crud on the ends of the tubes, best bet is the rad needs to be boiled out & maybe rodded. Not too expensive, and cheaper when done at home, on your own time...
If it were to be getting hot at idle, I'd be looking at the water pump...
tom

 

I don't think your gonna like it come summer. That's too warm for a 180 in cool weather.

 

well somethings wrong with my truck now, i drained,flushed with water, ran chemical flush, flushed with water again, and refilled with 40/60 af/water cause i ran out of af.now on the same outside temp of 65* the truck tops out at 225* going 70mph.
is the rad toast?

 

You just said you put 40% water and 60% coolant. Your supposed to put 50/50 mix. Water is what cools the engine. The coolant lubes everything up and keeps it from boiling over!

 

i put 60% water

 

I believe that we have a problem, Houston. If it is above boiling and cool outside, wait until it is hot outside. Generally speaking, if this temp problem came up over a period of time, it is due to decreasing efficiency of the radiator. I've heard of Zeta engine (ohc 4-banger FoMoCo) eating their impellers, and overheating. I've heard of OLD water pumps having impellers that were rusted away... But if it will stay cool after idling for 1/2hr or so, then you have a rad problem. Fix it now, or pay thru the nose to have it towed and fixed later out in the middle of nowhere...
tom

 

Yes, I agree, I think your radiator is partially blocked with mineral
deposits....

 

Is it possible to run lime a way in the rad to clean it out

 

well i put the stock mech clutch fan on and the temps were above 230* on the highway and rose to 250* at a light for 1-2 minutes.

 

when i flushed the cooling system, i used the prestone super flush(10minute one) and i think that the temps rose a few degrees after that. should i get the 3-6 hour as you drive zerex one?
also when i looked into the rad, i saw some white deposits everywhere not alot.

 

Take the radiator out of the truck and schlep it on down to your local radiator shop. Have them boil it out and rod out the tubes. Flush will not be successful. At least that is my experience with a radiator having 'bloom' (the white stuff you see on the ends of the tubes) because the bloom is chemically bonded to the tubes... and blocks the coolant flow.
At the risk of repeating what I said earlier....
tom

 

the screw holding the distrubitor in place was loose and the engine became retared. advanced it b4 it pings and is cooler, tell you how hot it gets this weekend

 

around the city i max out at 210* but on the highway i reach 235* on a 80* day