COOLANT TEMP??
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 53
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COOLANT TEMP??
3 years ago changed out 180* thermostat replaced with 195*. Lack of heat now I have more than enough. Went on holidays this year and found temp. gauge to be very high, with no fluctuation in the temp. Before holidays I flushed rad, new coolant, coolant additive, top and bottom hoses, new cap, rebuilt rad,and new heater hoses. Still the temp. gauge is high not pinned but higher than liked. So I changed out electric gauge with new one incl. new sender. The new gauge has graduations so now I can see the exact temp. The temp rises properly at idle to 200*, and sits there no fluctuation. On the highway rises to 220* and sits there. Do I have a problem or not?? rad is hot to touch but never boils, However this summer she pushed about 2 litres 2 separate times(35* on those days). Some guys tell me it won't boil till 245*, don't worry. Some say Fords run hot, don't worry about it! People don't understand, my truck is my woman, she's everything to me and if I ignore her she'll **** me off someday someway. Do I have a problem with my girl or is it nothing to worry about.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
From: texarkana, tx
COOLANT TEMP??
Goodness, that's pretty hot!!..My 460 in the F100 runs at about 160 - 170 and gets to 180 when he is REALLY hot (sitting in one of Atlanta's daily traffic jams). Otherwise, while cruising he stays at about 170 degrees at 70-80 miles per hour....
The LaptopGeek -----
1974 White F100 Custom Fleetside
460 bored .040 over & C-6 automatic 2WD
Lunati cam, L&L Headers / mounts
Holley Avenger 770CFM & Edlebrock RPM
Plush black leather 40-20-40 bench seat
38 gallon JC Whitney fuel tank
The LaptopGeek -----
1974 White F100 Custom Fleetside
460 bored .040 over & C-6 automatic 2WD
Lunati cam, L&L Headers / mounts
Holley Avenger 770CFM & Edlebrock RPM
Plush black leather 40-20-40 bench seat
38 gallon JC Whitney fuel tank
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,637
Likes: 349
From: Albuquerque
COOLANT TEMP??
I'd say anything over 205 is too much.
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska Farm
COOLANT TEMP??
Mine sits at 210 unless its over 85 degrees outside, then creeps to 220. Thats with a brand new radiator and thermostat. The factory gauge just shows a high leaning normal. I guess its ok.
Dave,
79 F-150 4x4, 390 w/C6, Edelbrock carb, 33X12.50 never will be finished.
Dave,
79 F-150 4x4, 390 w/C6, Edelbrock carb, 33X12.50 never will be finished.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
COOLANT TEMP??
You might need to go back to the 180 thermostat,
That would be the first thing I would try.
Ben
That would be the first thing I would try.
Ben
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Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 60
COOLANT TEMP??
once an engine reaches the temp registered on the thermostat it is completely open.
Now, if the engine is reaching 220, what good does switching from 195 to 180 going to do?
Granted the 180 will open sooner, but the overall cooling of the engine is not going to change.
A place to start would be the overall condition of the engine.
Where is the timing set?
Is the air/ fuel correct or are you running too rich, too lean?
Are the head gaskets in good shape?
What radiator cap pressure are you running?
I would tend to think anything over 210 is bad. But then again some Nascar engines run near 240.
Josh
Now, if the engine is reaching 220, what good does switching from 195 to 180 going to do?
Granted the 180 will open sooner, but the overall cooling of the engine is not going to change.
A place to start would be the overall condition of the engine.
Where is the timing set?
Is the air/ fuel correct or are you running too rich, too lean?
Are the head gaskets in good shape?
What radiator cap pressure are you running?
I would tend to think anything over 210 is bad. But then again some Nascar engines run near 240.
Josh
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
COOLANT TEMP??
I'm suspecting the 195* thermo is not working seeing as the temp doesn't fluctuate at all. A new 195 or 180 might solve the problem. Maybe the 195 thermo in the truck is only opening slightly(or not at all) thus registering no change in Temp? Is this a posibility? I've never owned a Ford before, but I have owned other breeds. I had a Dodge and when the Thermo opened you could actually see the temp deviate at least 20*. In my truck I see no deviation in temp., so I assume the thermo is not functioning. I posted this problem to see If others were experiencing the same problem and if so, I may not have a problem at all.
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Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 60
COOLANT TEMP??
I see your point about possibly the stat not opening all the way.
If it weren't opening at all there would be other obvious signs that something is wrong.
Honestly, if it is the case with the thermostat replace it with what it supposed to be in there.
Josh
If it weren't opening at all there would be other obvious signs that something is wrong.
Honestly, if it is the case with the thermostat replace it with what it supposed to be in there.
Josh
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
COOLANT TEMP??
Took her out on the highway again. 9 pm cool breeze, truck temp. was constant at 220* and 200* in town. Has to be thermo or water pump. If the gauge moved it was by 1 or 2* if that. I don't know that this is common, but I'm not taking any chances. New thermo and waterpump this weekend for sure.Maybe the new coolant I added won't boil, maybe this is why the truck hasn't boiled on me. Either way new parts are in order, that old girl hasn't cost me a dime through and through. Not like my buddies 700.00 new truck lease, you gotta be Nuts! Do you know how far I can drive on 700.00 in fuel??( at 26.5 miles per gallon that is).
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
COOLANT TEMP??
There seems to be something wrong here. Why does your truck run cooler in the city. If 70 MPH wind through the radiator does not let the big six cylinder run cooler then the heat rejection problem is at the radiator. Could the thermostat be calibrated incorrectly. Could your thermostat be closing off when your on the highway. Change your thermostat first, run your truck around and see what change takes place, then change the pump or radiator, but only change one thing at a time, that way you'll actually figure out where the shortcoming is at. If your motor is not pinging and your coolant is not boiling your gauge is probally off. Make sure you back flush that block the next time you get her opened up this could be a piece of rust scag caught in the cooling jacket. Keep your eyes open or you'll fix it without figuring it out.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,637
Likes: 349
From: Albuquerque
COOLANT TEMP??
I don't know your climate but I gotta say, if your hitting 220 degrees in an old Ford truck you should be boiling over once in a while! That's really hot. I have a newer vehicle with fuel injection, computer and all that and if it gets that hot its starts to run like a chevy. Oops! IT is a chevy.
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
From: texarkana, tx
COOLANT TEMP??
Hey, Beartracks - we don't use the **C** word in this forum - we only talk about REAL trucks...:7
The LaptopGeek -----
1974 White F100 Custom Fleetside
460 bored .040 over & C-6 automatic 2WD
Lunati cam, L&L Headers / mounts
Holley Avenger 770CFM & Edlebrock RPM
Plush black leather 40-20-40 bench seat
38 gallon JC Whitney fuel tank
The LaptopGeek -----
1974 White F100 Custom Fleetside
460 bored .040 over & C-6 automatic 2WD
Lunati cam, L&L Headers / mounts
Holley Avenger 770CFM & Edlebrock RPM
Plush black leather 40-20-40 bench seat
38 gallon JC Whitney fuel tank