351M running hot

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May 24, 2002 | 01:45 PM

ProRodeo1

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Livermore USA

351M running hot

My truck lives in hell...I have installed a new fan shroud to replace the cracked one, a new flex fan, and a Perma Cool 12 or 14" fan in front of the radiator pushing air in as well as a 180* thermostat. Yet the truck still runs a constant 190* and if I sit at all or go up any hills where the motor has to work, it gets REAL hot and almost dangerous....what can I do to cool this thing down? A larger, heavy duty radiator? I cannot go on any 4x4 trails without the heater on full, blasting everyone out inside!

May 24, 2002 | 03:42 PM

shazam

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Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 829

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From: Porterfield

351M running hot

Sounds to me like you have a plugged or to small of a radiator. Are you sure your elect. fan is pushing air thru not pulling air that would counter act your flex fan.. I know mine came set-up for pulling air.And That fan keeps my pulling truck at what ever temp. it is when I turn it on. If it's 170 it stays at 170. But then that could be due to the fact I have a 4 core radiator in it too I guess. Only other option I can come up with is On E-bay you can get custom built Aluminum radiators pretty cheap. Check them out There's like two or three companys on there.

May 24, 2002 | 04:27 PM

beartracks

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Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 6,625

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From: Albuquerque

351M running hot

Sounds like you'll have to bite the bullet and buy a four row or a 2 row aluminum. You seem to have everything else covered.

Bear Tracks

May 25, 2002 | 07:46 AM

wayne_j

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: cedar rapids usa

351M running hot

There are two other things that can cause an engine to over heat even with a better cooling system. One is a lean mixture in the carb and the other is poor timing. You didn't mention if your engine was pinging but if it's overheating and getting hot it should be. Check the timing and make sure it is at factory specs with the vacuum line off and plugged. Not only can being to far advanced cause overheating but so can to far retarded. Besure that after you set the timing to check that the vacuum advance is working also.

Next check that the fuel mixture isn't lean. Get a vacuum gage and set the carb up for the most vacuum it can pull at idle. Running lean or on the edge of lean can make a engine over heat also.

May 25, 2002 | 08:20 PM

xyfalcon500

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Joined: Jan 2002

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351M running hot

I know it sounds rather obvious, but perhaps there is a blockage of some sort in the motor itself? when running, take a look in through the radiator cap (after taking it off!) and make sure that the coolant is flowing properly.

May 26, 2002 | 09:07 PM

bbtkd

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Joined: Jun 2001

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351M running hot

>I know it sounds rather obvious, but perhaps there is a
>blockage of some sort in the motor itself? when running,
>take a look in through the radiator cap (after taking it
>off!) and make sure that the coolant is flowing properly.

I had a cooling problem on my recently purchased 351C Ranchero. There were four causes - a previous owner had removed the thermostat thinking it would cool better, the radiator was partially plugged, the fan was all chewed up, and the water pump was going out. Got that all fixed up and now cools great...