over heating
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: newtonfalls ohio
over heating
Hello i need help i have a 1982 f-150 with a 302 c6 trans and 2.73 gears. it over heated and strugled up hill when i was pulling an empty 18 ft. dual axel land scaping trailer. it does good at low speeds but not on the highway. i put a trans cooler in but that did not help. the motor has about 10,000 miles and is built pretty good. i want to pull a 26 ft. camper what can i do. thanks for any help
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 265
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From: Northern Indiana
If the engine overheated, a trans-cooler will only make it worse as it will steal cool air from the radiator. That rear end sounds pretty bad for a 302 to pull a trailer too. I don't think you'll find any cheap fix to get it to pull a camper of that size. You've got some kind of restriction in your cooling system, whether it is a bad t-stat or radiator core.
You've also left out a lot of info. There is just so many variables that could cause this. Another I thought of is a plugged cat.
You've also left out a lot of info. There is just so many variables that could cause this. Another I thought of is a plugged cat.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Jash, That is a terrible combo for towing. Small engine and ultra high gear ratio. The 302 while it's a great engine needs a lower ratio to tow with, a 3.55 min.
Your truck was built in a time when Ford was trying to comply with gov. regulation for gas milage.
You may have to find another tow truck. IMHO
John
Your truck was built in a time when Ford was trying to comply with gov. regulation for gas milage.
You may have to find another tow truck. IMHO
John
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 525
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From: Floriduh
I agree with jowilker,
That is a horrable combo for towing. The C-6 will rob more hp than the C-4, the rearend is too high....You need at LEASTY a 3:55 gear ratio for towing with that motor. The 302 is low on torque which is what you use while towing. It probably overheater while towing up the hill due to the freeway gears in it and it was lugging going up the hill.
That is a horrable combo for towing. The C-6 will rob more hp than the C-4, the rearend is too high....You need at LEASTY a 3:55 gear ratio for towing with that motor. The 302 is low on torque which is what you use while towing. It probably overheater while towing up the hill due to the freeway gears in it and it was lugging going up the hill.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 38
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From: newtonfalls ohio
i have a 4.11 gear set should i put that in i wanted to put an over drive trany in what do you think of that. the motor is pritty strong i put a new cam in it and a four bbl. carb and intake with new headers and dual exaust
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 525
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From: Floriduh
I agree.....Without a lockup converter, O/D is a no-no. The 4:11's will make a HUGE difference with towing. A 3:55 gear set would be more friendly though. Especially with fuel mileage and gas prices going up. How tall are your tires? If you change to a shorter tire, that does the same thing as a gear ratio change, but to a little bit lesser extent.
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
That setup probably shouldnt tow more than 1500 lbs, sorry but, gear change or different truck. Different truck with bigger engine would be preferable. 460 or 351 is the way to go, a 300I6 is also an improvement. You might be able to find junk-yard axels with lower gear ratios, that would help a lot, good luck.
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