Water pump?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Yeah, that's the first thing I noticed too and a red flag that some gomer with wrenches has been attacking the truck in it's past. A pressure test would tell but lacking a pressure tester, and using the "throw parts at it hoping to fix it" I would address the thermostat housing first because it's easy. Make sure everything is clean, flat and not pitted out. Get a new water neck if it's pitted. New thermostat and good gasket, the correct bolts. See where it goes from there. Also, it the intake is aluminum, those will eventually eat the intake gaskets around the coolant passage and leak there, very common on the 5.0.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Also, if you see a lot of pitting, like where the hoses clamp on, you really should flush the cooling system and install new coolant. This happens because owners do not take care of the system, coolant becomes acidic and electrolysis sets in. coolant should be flushed and refilled every 4 years.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 196
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Thanks! What is the pipe fitting for at the top of the water neck? It is a factory air truck, but most of the A/C was removed by PO.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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Ported thermal vacuum switch. It is part of the 70's emissions system. Since your engine is not stock you may or may not need this item. If you do NOT have to pass emissions inspection, it is not needed. Picture is only an example.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Also the thermostat housing may have been replaced and the replacements often have the hole for the TVS that you just plug if not needed. I find it to be the perfect place for an electric fan switch, fan doesn't come on until t-stat opens.
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