Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Overheating

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 13, 2017 | 05:51 PM
  #31  
Lead Head's Avatar
Lead Head
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
Yes pressure is normal. It honestly sounds to me that either your radiator is just too small, or you have a faulty water pump.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2017 | 05:59 PM
  #32  
Zacbkennedy's Avatar
Zacbkennedy
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: georgia
The radiator is an aftermarket 3 core aluminum and bigger than the stock one. Still possible? I really hope it's he water pump... how can I check that
 
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2017 | 12:22 PM
  #33  
Zacbkennedy's Avatar
Zacbkennedy
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: georgia
still cant figure it out. overheats after 15-25 miles sometimes. as soon as i pull it in the driveway i yank the cap off with a glove get a puff of steam and itll cool down back to 180 pretty quickly and it'll stay there even if im holding the throttle down. im not sure if the cap is bad. i got a napa block tester today and i have no combustion gases in the coolant system. im at a loss someone please help. im in the decatur area of georgia i had to take today off because i cant go to far and im about to start a new job. need to get this figured out sooner than later.
 
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2017 | 04:38 PM
  #34  
Lead Head's Avatar
Lead Head
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
If you only get a puff of steam, you don't have enough coolant or its not actually overheating. It should be blasting coolant out when you take the cap off if its overheating.
 
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2017 | 06:47 PM
  #35  
timbersteel's Avatar
timbersteel
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,698
Likes: 47
From: Mexico, Missouri
I agree with Lead Head.

If the cap we're bad, that can cause an overheat situation. That's why I only replace my parts with Motorcraft cap and t-stat's.

Need to find out what pump was sold to you. If it's the wrong rotation, the engine is gonna overheat. Hopefully you have looked up the pump that was sold to you and confirmed if it was or not.

And good deal on checking the coolant for bad or blown head.
 
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2017 | 07:07 PM
  #36  
Zacbkennedy's Avatar
Zacbkennedy
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: georgia
After it overheated again today I brought it in to work. We flushed the system and then pulled vaccum throughout the system. Held pressure then refilled the system to the top. Hasn't overheated yet. I'll know tomorrow after work and report back. But yea. Part number was the same on the one I took off as the one I put on
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2017 | 10:27 AM
  #37  
Redark1's Avatar
Redark1
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 228
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque
put a overflow bottle on it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2017 | 01:21 PM
  #38  
Zacbkennedy's Avatar
Zacbkennedy
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: georgia
Wooooooo guys and gals. It was a massive massive air pocket cause I drove it home on the hey today with ac on most of the way and nothing. So as many times as I "bleed" the system doing it with the vaccum Pino was flawless. I have a misfire now but as for the overheating as of now it's kaput thanks all for your help
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 16, 2017 | 12:30 PM
  #39  
Lead Head's Avatar
Lead Head
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
Is your radiator cap lower than the top of the upper hose or thermostat housing?
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2017 | 08:42 PM
  #40  
Tedster9's Avatar
Tedster9
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
An overheated motor is Bad stuff, among other things it can also ruin a good thermostat. Use a good Motorcraft, lots of junk thermostats on the shelves these days. Bend up a coil spring out of coat hanger or something like that if you have to, to install in the lower radiator hose too.
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2017 | 08:03 AM
  #41  
JohnnyJeepin's Avatar
JohnnyJeepin
New User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
I've been having overheating issues too and so far I've checked for blockages everywhere and flushed everything, replaced the cap and thermostat, and the guy i bought the truck off of said the motor was rebuilt and the water pump is new, who knows if he is telling the truth, the fan is spinning the right way, and I'm positive I got all of the air out of the system but I'm worried it possibly has the wrong water pump on it now from what you guys have been saying to the original poster. Is there a way to tell visually which rotation pump is on it without removing the pump to look at the impeller?
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2017 | 08:08 AM
  #42  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,319
Likes: 1,298
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Do a search (google, what ever) for "reverse rotation SBF water pump image"

You'll get plenty pictures & diagrams plus differences from outside regarding timing cover clues.
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2017 | 11:01 AM
  #43  
JohnnyJeepin's Avatar
JohnnyJeepin
New User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
What pump should be on an 89 f250 351? Standard or reverse rotation?
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2017 | 02:37 PM
  #44  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,319
Likes: 1,298
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

As far as I know, serpentine belt is going to be reverse.

Not serpentine or more than one belt, I can't say.

You should be able to compare the timing cover images to decide what you have.
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2017 | 03:05 PM
  #45  
Bad Bad Leroy Brown's Avatar
Bad Bad Leroy Brown
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 567
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by JohnnyJeepin
What pump should be on an 89 f250 351? Standard or reverse rotation?


According to rock auto, both your 89 and my 97 351s take a Motorcraft PW254 waterpump, which both should be reverse rotation since they are EFI motors.


Is it possible the builder swapped to an incorrect front cover not for use on an EFI motor, I don't even know if it would bolt up...
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jakoolin
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
70
Oct 25, 2021 02:14 PM
bodlfed66
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
May 30, 2014 09:23 PM
86bluetruck
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
5
Aug 14, 2012 08:44 AM
timbersteel
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
9
Aug 16, 2007 08:38 AM
RisingR
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
28
Sep 13, 2004 09:14 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:25 AM.

story-0
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
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE