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1978 f250 heating problems

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Old Mar 9, 2014 | 07:41 PM
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1978 f250 heating problems

hi I have a 1978 f250super cab 4x4 it was a special order truck with a 400ci and a larger radiator than most. I cant get it to run at proper running temp. I've tried a number of thermostats, the temp. gage works and I've asked a other mechanics for advice, but no luck. even on a hot day and polling a loud the warmest it'll get is just to the edge of normal, most of the time its on the cold mark. if anyone knows how to solve my problem I'd appreciate the advice.
 
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Old Mar 9, 2014 | 07:44 PM
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How do you know the gauge works?
 
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Old Mar 9, 2014 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Kurtlin Mckibbin
hi I have a 1978 f250super cab 4x4 it was a special order truck with a 400ci and a larger radiator than most. I cant get it to run at proper running temp. I've tried a number of thermostats, the temp. gage works and I've asked a other mechanics for advice, but no luck. even on a hot day and polling a loud the warmest it'll get is just to the edge of normal, most of the time its on the cold mark.
Welcome to FTE

Your truck most likely has the optional Super Cooling radiator (26 1/4" wide x 24 11/16" high).

The top tank is HUGE, it's wider and deeper than the standard/xtra cooling & A/C radiators (that are 26 1/4" x 19 3/4"), overlaps the core.

The thing is, the temp gauges in these trucks are usually inaccurate, suggest installing an aftermarket direct reading gauge.
 
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Old Mar 9, 2014 | 08:00 PM
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I had swapped it for it with a different gauge and sensor and after running it for a will it told me the same thing at the most it reached 130 ish
 
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Old Mar 9, 2014 | 08:08 PM
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Did you install a new cap?
 
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Old Mar 9, 2014 | 08:10 PM
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I pressure tested my old one and its still good for 13psi
 
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Old Mar 10, 2014 | 03:29 AM
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If the gauge works, and its indicating in the normal range and you know the gauge will tell you if you have an overheating issue and the truck does not currently overheat, what's the problem?

Not very warm air out the vents or its just not getting up to a operating temp you like to see? So you like 180+ better? Here are some sentence's I just found and I am learning things all the time....

"do not go lower than like oh 175 it'll run cold, rich and crappy"

"I have no idea why they are even manufactured because continued operation below 185 is going to ruin your engine.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ting-temp.html especially thread reply #14,15

Have you flushed out the entire cooling system lately? And what is your current thermostat temp?
 

Last edited by 77&79F250; Mar 10, 2014 at 03:47 AM.
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Old Mar 10, 2014 | 07:56 PM
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Yes it won't get up to proper operating temp.I've flushed it before, and the thermostats opens at 200 degrees and I've put a couple different one in to see if they will make a difference.got any other ideas thanks
 
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Old Mar 10, 2014 | 08:59 PM
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What temp thermostats have you tried? You mention a 200...I've got a 180 in my truck which is the same as yours (supercab, supercooling radiator, 400 engine), and my gauge stays pegged under any condition at the N in NORMAL. Are you mixing your antifreeze correctly?
 
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Old Mar 10, 2014 | 09:46 PM
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It definitely mixed properly and I've tried a180 and 195 also
 
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Old Mar 10, 2014 | 10:15 PM
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Is your heat strong like 77&79 said? Did you "burp" any air bubbles out of the cooling system?
 
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Old Mar 10, 2014 | 10:36 PM
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Bill said this "The thing is, the temp gauges in these trucks are usually inaccurate, suggest installing an aftermarket direct reading gauge."

Till you do that you will never actually know what temp it is, unless you have a heat temp gun? Or what ever they are properly called?
HDE Temperature Gun Infrared Thermometer w/ Laser Sight: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific HDE Temperature Gun Infrared Thermometer w/ Laser Sight: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

I'd then make sure you have a 195 temp thermostat in there, correctly installed, and put the front up on some car ramps and burp the system.
 
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