My hot 300
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, Arizona
My hot 300
My fresh 300 is running hot, no matter what i do, the thing runs hot. It likes to run around the A-L range of normal on the guage.
Here's whats been replaced...
radiator
hoses
belts
waterpump
coolant
radiator cap
fan clutch
timing is dead on
sending unit for the guage
I've even tried 160* 195* and am currently running a 180* thermostat, the 180* has been the best so far.
I even have an electric pusher fan running all the time!
What the heck is going on?
stumped,
Elwood
Here's whats been replaced...
radiator
hoses
belts
waterpump
coolant
radiator cap
fan clutch
timing is dead on
sending unit for the guage
I've even tried 160* 195* and am currently running a 180* thermostat, the 180* has been the best so far.
I even have an electric pusher fan running all the time!
What the heck is going on?
stumped,
Elwood
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: Glen Burnie Maryland
My hot 300
Elwood;
Is it actually running HOT!!??? or are you just worried about the reading you are getting from the idiot gauge. (Betting on gauge itself being bad. )
If you've covered everything else, stick an aftermarket gauge in place of the factory one and check your actual temperature. You can also buy a cheap "MEAT" thermometer at the grocery store (Better yet, Buy MOM a decent one and use her old one, IF SHE AGREE's!!) and take your engine's temp at the cap when it's warmed up. Make sure you remove the cap BEFORE you start up. BURNS ARE BAD!!!!
If the temp is within specs. (180-185 with a 180 thermostat) then just take occasional readings with the meat thermometer.
Again, I'm betting your idiot gauge is just reading higher than you would like it too. Remember FORD didn't design these gauges with a close tolerance either. What one gauge will read at O-R may read A-L on another. They are like the Oil Gauge. A general indicator that something is going on.
Larry
Is it actually running HOT!!??? or are you just worried about the reading you are getting from the idiot gauge. (Betting on gauge itself being bad. )
If you've covered everything else, stick an aftermarket gauge in place of the factory one and check your actual temperature. You can also buy a cheap "MEAT" thermometer at the grocery store (Better yet, Buy MOM a decent one and use her old one, IF SHE AGREE's!!) and take your engine's temp at the cap when it's warmed up. Make sure you remove the cap BEFORE you start up. BURNS ARE BAD!!!!
If the temp is within specs. (180-185 with a 180 thermostat) then just take occasional readings with the meat thermometer.
Again, I'm betting your idiot gauge is just reading higher than you would like it too. Remember FORD didn't design these gauges with a close tolerance either. What one gauge will read at O-R may read A-L on another. They are like the Oil Gauge. A general indicator that something is going on.
Larry
Last edited by larry derouin; Jun 9, 2003 at 02:48 AM.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, Arizona
My hot 300
Well, the motor that I just pulled out had almost 300,000 miles on it an the thing would ride around the O-R mark all the time. It would never get "hot". So I should head down to autozone and get a mechanical guage? I stuck a mech. guage in for my oil pressure, keeps tabs on exactly whats going on, instead of a general idea.
Maybe I'll try that
Elwood
Maybe I'll try that
Elwood
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,241
Likes: 3
From: Broken Arrow, OK
My hot 300
New engines always run hotter than well broken in engines. I wouldn't worry about it unless you get 5k-8k miles on it and it still runs hotter than you'd like. Even then it might be a little warmer than the old engine because all the clearances are tighter than in the old engine.
Are you 100% certain the fan is running the right way? I have seen a few run the wrong direction and make an engine run hot, but they usually blow a fuse when you are driving.
Are you 100% certain the fan is running the right way? I have seen a few run the wrong direction and make an engine run hot, but they usually blow a fuse when you are driving.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
My hot 300
Couple of thoughts.
1. The radiator: do you have the correct replacement? Its possible to get a smaller radiator (physical dimentions might look right, but the flow rate mighjt be too low) My Dad bought a new 59 Ford with the 312 engine but the factory installed a 292 size radiator. It always ran hot. It wasn't until he had the radiator flushed and flow checked that he discovered it didn't have enough flow rate capacity.
2. You indicate you have a "electric pusher fan". Since this was not a stock item, I'm guessing you added it when you put in the new radiator. WHICH WAY DID YOU MOUNT IT? Is it trying to blow air through the radiator from the engine side? Is it mounted in front of the radiator trying to suck air through from the engine side? Check, don't assume its right. If either situation is the case, its working against the natural airflow...
Jerry
1. The radiator: do you have the correct replacement? Its possible to get a smaller radiator (physical dimentions might look right, but the flow rate mighjt be too low) My Dad bought a new 59 Ford with the 312 engine but the factory installed a 292 size radiator. It always ran hot. It wasn't until he had the radiator flushed and flow checked that he discovered it didn't have enough flow rate capacity.
2. You indicate you have a "electric pusher fan". Since this was not a stock item, I'm guessing you added it when you put in the new radiator. WHICH WAY DID YOU MOUNT IT? Is it trying to blow air through the radiator from the engine side? Is it mounted in front of the radiator trying to suck air through from the engine side? Check, don't assume its right. If either situation is the case, its working against the natural airflow...
Jerry
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, Arizona
My hot 300
The radiator is correct for the application, brand new from autozone, I've checked and rechecked to make sure it was the right part.
As for the electric fan....
It is mounted behind the grill, pushing air into the engine compartment. It puts out an impressive amount of air. With the engine off and the electric fan running, I can feel a generous amount of air passing through the radiator into the engine compartment.
The reason I bought the electric fan?
I live in Phoenix, AZ, I drive it everywhere, the streets are always packed so you cannot avoid sitting still at a light for a while. It's nice to have some additional air flow while the truck is in stop and go traffic.
Thanks for your advice!
Elwood
As for the electric fan....
It is mounted behind the grill, pushing air into the engine compartment. It puts out an impressive amount of air. With the engine off and the electric fan running, I can feel a generous amount of air passing through the radiator into the engine compartment.
The reason I bought the electric fan?
I live in Phoenix, AZ, I drive it everywhere, the streets are always packed so you cannot avoid sitting still at a light for a while. It's nice to have some additional air flow while the truck is in stop and go traffic.
Thanks for your advice!
Elwood
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 340
Likes: 1
From: NY
My hot 300
From my experience I would tell you that it is from the new sender that you installed positioning the needle a little bit farther up on the idiot guage. I say this because when I changed my sender it raised the needle up to the end of the "M" on NORMAL and has been like that ever since.
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,241
Likes: 3
From: Broken Arrow, OK
My hot 300
Originally posted by elwood
The radiator is correct for the application, brand new from autozone, I've checked and rechecked to make sure it was the right part.
The radiator is correct for the application, brand new from autozone, I've checked and rechecked to make sure it was the right part.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 96
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From: Glendale, Arizona
My hot 300
I work at autozone.
Yes, the autozone computers have lied many times, so I check there, and the big "ready-rad" supplier books. The info matches up.
I have also checked the part numbers online.
It's gotta be the right one.
Yes, the autozone computers have lied many times, so I check there, and the big "ready-rad" supplier books. The info matches up.
I have also checked the part numbers online.
It's gotta be the right one.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
My hot 300
You don't work at the AZ on Camelback in Glendale do you? I used to live in the apartment complex right behind there. I got a 16" electric fan from there, and had tons of problems with it. The biggest thing is mounting it properly so it gets the most air through the radiator, without rubbing. Also, a pusher fan does tend to block airflow through the radiator on the highway, due to it's being in front of the radiator.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, Arizona
My hot 300
So as to protect the innocent, we'll leave the location I work at a secret 
Ford_six........ You do have a point about the fan blocking a little flow. Temps at highway speeds aren't that bad, but at a light.....it's killin' me.
Ford_six........ You do have a point about the fan blocking a little flow. Temps at highway speeds aren't that bad, but at a light.....it's killin' me.
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