Hello again. Summer is upon us and my new-old Ford truck is running hot-hot-hot (or so I think).

I'm in the Sacramento Calif. area. Based on what I've heard, it's running too hot -- averaging 191 degrees on freeway, and easily climbing to 200/205 at stop & go traffic or while idling for a long light in the heat of the day.

When I shut the engine off, the temp. gauge jumps to 220 or so (possibly due to some default for the gauge) until I turn the ignition on again and the temp. will drop to 190 or so.

One of the local F.N.G.'s (Ford Nice Guys) said the engines need to be kept cooler -- about 180 ideally.

Is this true? What IS the ideal operating temperature for this beast?

I have a 180 degree thermostat, 50/50 mix with water wetter, and it's timed and idled correctly (jumps 20 or so rpms at idle), but nothing seems to work to keep it around 180.

I'm not certain whether or not I have a 3 or 4 core radiator, but I recently flushed the system and nothing worth of mentioning happened. I was thinking of getting a 4 core, as long as the mounts matched up.

I also don't see a separate OIL COOLER on the driver's side near the radiator (or anywhere else) -- but I bet it would help. I also do not note any oil hoses going near the radiator, possibly having an oil cooler incorporated into the radiator. There is a power steering pump meandering of tubing on that side, to provide greater cooling surface area for steering fluid... but no apparent oil cooler.

I don't know about the fan clutch either... if there is one. I thought the fan was supposed to run full time on this model.

I do have the fan shroud, which was damaged and I repaired it. All of the prospective replacement shrouds I purchased were too big... suggesting I may have a smaller sized radiator.

Any recommendations or insight into this?

 

I'd say it is fine the way it is.

The 190* is just the T-Sat Opening point, the engine runs hotter than that.
You are right in the normal operating temp by my standards.

 

Sounds like you are doing just perfect.