Picked up a 95 F150 5.0 4x4 a few weeks back. I bought the truck needing a radiator replacement. I ended up replacing the radiator,waterpump,t-stat,belt,hoses and rad cap. Well the problem im having now I believe is a lack of coolant flow. The only 2 hoses getting hot are the 2 heater core hoses. The upper coolant hose is getting no pressure, and the overflow tank is getting filled from the radiator. Ive replaced the t-stat again but nothing changed. Please help trace down this aggravating problem. Thanks guys

 

You didn't tell us if your truck is overheating as a result of these new installs. Your upper radiator hose, if I am not mistaken, will not show temp or pressure until your engine gets hot enough to open your t-stat. Once this happens, the upper hose allows flow from the block, through the water pump, to the radiator.

Also, is your reservoir filling when the engine gets hot, or as soon you start the engine? Also, and please don't think me being condescending, but check to make sure the serpentine belt is installed so that the water pump is spinning in the correct direction. Sometimes, those serpentine belts can kick my butt.

 

yep it will overheat. the serp belt it routed so it is spinning the pump counter clock wise. pretty sure these pumps are reverse rotation style. the truck is only running for about 2-3 minutes before the rad starts to overflow to the resivore. Thought it might be an air pocket but bled the system multiple times

 

Have tried without the T-stat installed? Only other thought is what type of T-stat? Anything other than Napa or Motocraft is junk. Been there, done that.

 

Are you able to top it off, and bleed the system out? When it is cold I will leave the cap off start the engine, and pump/squeeze the lower radiator hose while adding more coolant.

 

yep tried that 3 or so times no bueno

tstat is a stant I believe..1st one was a murry. took them both out and did the boil test and they are working properly

 

Hate to ask this but did you install the thermostat corectly? I saw this done on a mazda that my friend had and it played hell with my mind until after changeling several thermostats and testing etc. and finally I just flipped it in the correct orientation and it worked fine. My friend had installed it backa$$wards.

 

i believe so yes...spring side towards the intake manifold

 

Anyone else? nobody has ever had this issue?

 

I hadn't had a problem such as yours. That's why I suggested trying it without the t-stat. This could prove if there's something other than a sticking t-stat or blovkage in the water pump, block, or radiator. Did you flush the radiator out before installing it? This is a must to ensure there wasn't trash in the internals and to ensure there wasn't a blockage.