Hey Guy,s
I have a 1995 F-150 with a 5.0 in it. When I try to pull a load it overheats but if i am not pulling a load it is fine. I changed to a 2 row radiator, 2 new hoses,new radiator cap,new thermostat & flushed system. I noticed when I am driving the temp gauge will climb to the M in normal then drop down to the O in normal. It keeps doing this. I have thought about the water pump but there are is no leaking and the bearings seem snug. Could it be the fan? The truck has 127,000 miles on it. All replies will be greatly appreciated.

 

Fan clutch? Thermostat in correctly, gasket on corrcetly? Don't worry I've goofed it before. Check your oil cap for any whitish residue inside surface for any moistrure in the oil galley.

 

I think I would get a trans cooler if the problem only occurs during towing. Your trans is cooled by the radiator water, and a hot trans could bring up the heat level in your engine. As far as the needle moving back and forth from the O to the M, that is the amount of time it takes the thermostat to open and cool things down. My Ford is operating fine, but my Saturn was slow to cool things down, it may have not opened completely. I replaced it and it works like clock work now. I would try to replace the thermostat with a good name brand unit. Also, while under the hood, check to see if there is free play in the clutch fan as well as oil on the back of it indicating a worn seal on the clutch. Common problem with a lot of Fords.
I dont have a shroud on my 5.8 engine and I run a 160 which in turn my engine operates at 170 degree's.