Notices
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Big Ed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 20, 2015 | 06:44 PM
  #1  
Colby2014's Avatar
Colby2014
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Big Ed

Big Ed (1970'71 F250) constantly overheats. Radiator has been changed, thermostat changed. Haters tell me it's typical of a Ford. Any comments or ideas? I use this truck for firewood, hauling ......
 
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2015 | 06:59 PM
  #2  
Binkowski's Avatar
Binkowski
More Turbo
10 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 633
Likes: 42
Welcome

Hi there,

Welcome.

A few ideas of things to look at and check. First off, make sure you have the thermostat installed correctly. Don't like to admit it but I installed it in the wrong direction and it is very easy to do on these FE's. Second, has the block been flushed out? These old motors can accumulate a lot of stuff in the block and need to be flushed out...sounds like everything else is newer and working so this could be it. Third, do you have a fan shroud and how close to the radiator is the fan? These FE's make a lot of heat and there's not a lot of air moving at idle speed and those two things can affect it a lot.
Lastly, how's your oil pressure?
Good luck.
 
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2015 | 06:59 PM
  #3  
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Does it have a fan shroud? Perhaps air trapped in system?

Or engines' coolant passages are full of crud and has never been properly flushed. If equipped with an FE, gotta pull the two pipe plugs low on the block below cylinders 3 and 7. If nothing comes out, poke it and keep clear or else you'll be wearing it.

Other than that, timing is out of spec or the engine is on its last legs...
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2015 | 08:30 AM
  #4  
mjunk1's Avatar
mjunk1
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
A friend of mine suggests throwing a few of those dishwasher detergent pellets into your radiator and running it a bit and then flushing. They have stuff that is good at breaking down the grit and stuff that forms.
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2015 | 08:36 AM
  #5  
Rasputin53's Avatar
Rasputin53
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 5
From: Garner NC
Needs more detail.
1. Truck over heats in Idle?
2. Overheats while running down the road?

And no, they just don't overheat because of the letters on the hood.
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2015 | 10:34 AM
  #6  
orich's Avatar
orich
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
The most common problem of over heating is a lack of proper cooling system maintenance. Other things possible vacuum advance leak sucking air making it run lean. if running a fan clutch fan clutch needs replacing or not correct size pulley, pulley is for a manual fan to large= water pump turning to slow to keep it cool.

Need more input we can't play the guessing game.
Orich
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2015 | 10:57 AM
  #7  
TeachNlive4ever's Avatar
TeachNlive4ever
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,350
Likes: 7
From: Garland, Tx
Welcome to FTE/Jeopardy, Just kidding.
Is this an issue that has just started or is it on going?
Agree with all the above suggestions.
 
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2015 | 04:27 PM
  #8  
jowilker's Avatar
jowilker
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Club FTE Silver Member

When the system is working properly, and moving forward 20 mph or more no fan or shroud is needed. Sitting idling is another thing, in the summer time it will not do for more than a few minutes.

Is your system puking cooklant? The coolant needs to be about 3in down for expansion. As long as you can see coolant on a cold rest you are OK.



John
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-1

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-8

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 21, 2015 | 06:35 PM
  #9  
JEFFFAFA's Avatar
JEFFFAFA
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
2X is this recent or ongoing? If recent what happened or what was changed just before it started overheating? A real good flush would be a really good idea. Timing or dwell off? Vacuum leak?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
waituntilthebeep
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
42
Oct 13, 2015 04:39 PM
hollenjoe
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
14
Apr 26, 2010 09:20 AM
bigcountry1009
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Nov 13, 2008 11:46 PM
fiddledawg
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jun 26, 2003 04:44 PM
WrenchHead84
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
May 6, 2002 04:07 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:35 PM.

story-0
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-7
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE