I have a beast of a custom motor coach (1967 champion "landcruiser") that has an old ford 534 out of a fire truck. It has been sitting for 7 years in storage in Sacramento, CA. A buddy and I decided it was time to stop paying storage fees on it, as I haven't been living there in years. Wanted to get it up to Portland, OR where I presently live. We have been wrenching on it for a week now and got it running like a champ! Hit I-5 northbound and after about 7 miles the water temp pinned at 250. I have read that these motors can possibly have 2 thermostats... how do I know if this motor has that application? Also, I am staring at the elbow where the upper rad hose meets the top of the intake manifold and next to it is a smaller diameter hose that is about 4 inches long running horizontal from the water pump to the manifold under the carb. This engine is not fun to find parts for so just asking for some good tips. I also read that if you pull out the thermostat(s) in these motors that it can cause the water pump to cavitate and make foam.

Any help is much welcomed!

 

Cont 1960's 534 help...

If you google 1967 champion bus Barrett Jackson, there are a few pics. 1 of the engine.

Thanks again

 

Searching out similar posts I find:

Post 5, trapped air:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...overheats.html

Tough to find parts, that's for sure. Good luck.

 

The 534 does have 2 thermostats. One in front of the intake manifold where the radiator hose connects and the second in the rear of the intake manifold covered by a 3" triangular cover plate with no hoses. I do have thermostats for these engines. I don't know why removing the thermostat would cause the water pump to cavitate if the radiator is topped off. But it would cause the engine to run cold. The diameter of the thermostat is big and when it opens up there is a lot of water flow and it doesn't cavitate then. Yes, parts difficult to find. Have fun....we have two of these engines in our boat. We also have manuals with all the specifications.