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89 F250, manual trans, 2WD, 70000miles. Last time I pulled my 24ft travel trailer in hot weather when I would stop at roadside rest etc, it would overflow the expansion tank. I cant remember if I have 180 or 192 deg t-stat, but anyhow I am contemplating change to cooler 160, but my question is has anyone had a bad water pump that allow the engine to run cool at speed but to heat bad when under load and only under load, I have no around town problems?
Currently run a K&N FIPK, MSD ignition, new injectors, gibson catback system.
Also can anyone recommend a good water pump, not sure if I should look for a high flow or not. BTW guage runs at about the "N" in normal.
I am not sure why you are asking this in the cleveland forum, but yes a 160 t-stat will help considerably but a new radiator, 3 or 4 core will do wonders.
Moved to Windsor forum, assuming that the user was confused about which 351 he has. This also assumes that he has a 351x since it was in the Cleveland forum, the user does not otherwise identify his engine.
A 160 thermostat will not help for your load problem. The thermostat just sets the minimum operating temperature. The 192 thermostat should be used.
Many things can cause overheating with a load: The most common is an improperly tuned engine. There can also be problems with improper coolant mix, plugged radiator (inside or outside), plugged block, worn water pump impeller, non-stock replacement fans, collapsed hoses, broken/mis-fit/missing fan shrouds, and missing air control flaps in the engine compartment.
I'm not sure about the 351, but on my 460 my water pump was missing the mounting plate behind it and ran similiar to the way you describe. At speed it ran cool, but at idle it shot right up to 230-240. Just an idea.
I had the AC repaired and they found that the clutch fan was bad so maybe this was causing it. I haven't had the truck out since so I cannot say for sure that it is at this time.
Logic makes me think otherwise. At speed, which is where you are having problem, there is no need for a fan. The wind speed is all that is needed. A fan problem would show itself at idle and low speeds.
I still think it's the radiator.
Remember that when you are working that engine, it is gonna make heat.
With no fan and a small rad you still won't have a heat problem if you drive easy all day. If you are really working that engine, than get a bigger rad. The small rad just can't keep up with the amount of heat that the motor is making.