My 92 F350 was overheating on the highway and in heavy traffic. The outside temperature was mid 80's, so there wasn't a reason for overheating. On the highway the faster I went the hotter the engine showed. It never went all the way into the red but it got close. It also did this in heavy traffic. I had to turn off the ac and roll down the windows a one point. I wasn't sure if this was normal so choose to just worry about it.

Not too much later the radiator started leaking. Not all the time, but occassionaly and I would have to put water in it about every 2 weeks. I decided to go head and replace it. Man those radiators are big. I managed to lift it out myself, but it's really a two man job. I got lucky and found a new one in Forney TX for about $225, some were going for over $300, and the same brand.

I talked to the man I bought the radiator from about the fan clutch. He told me if it was working properly, the fan should really be roaring and blowing out the air when I first start up the engine. I remembered it put out pretty good air but was not blasting when I started the engine. So I decided to replace it and while I was at it the water pump too. I'm sure the water pump was probably still good, but at 180K it was only a matter of time.

No more over heating problems, and if anything it's running too cool.

 

It's always a good idea to change the water pump early. They have a nasty habit of breaking the shaft without warning and sending that big heavy fan right into the radiator.

 

Did you replace the thermostat and if so did you replace it with a ford factor or international. if you got one from the local auto parts store that will cause over heating problems. The factory thermo will run you about $23.00.