Boiling radiator
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
Boiling radiator
Hello,
Just picked up an 85 with the carbed 2.8 for $200.00 Didn't have a distro in it. Picked up one from another 85 2.8 from a ranger. ANywho now it boils the radiator after any amount of runnig time. No oil in the water nor water in the oil???? Any thoughts? Thanks.
Just picked up an 85 with the carbed 2.8 for $200.00 Didn't have a distro in it. Picked up one from another 85 2.8 from a ranger. ANywho now it boils the radiator after any amount of runnig time. No oil in the water nor water in the oil???? Any thoughts? Thanks.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
Hello,
Thermo yes, I think as the top hose gets hot but then again it could be block heat I suppose. As for flow, I'm not sure, I'll have to check that along with the pump flow. I'm also swapping the rad cap from my 87 that runs like a champ, including the 3K miles from Utah to Alaska! My first post was during lunch and now I'm home and am disgusted with all 3 of my B2s right now so taking a day off from them. I''l let ya'll know what I find when I feel like tackling this one again.
Thermo yes, I think as the top hose gets hot but then again it could be block heat I suppose. As for flow, I'm not sure, I'll have to check that along with the pump flow. I'm also swapping the rad cap from my 87 that runs like a champ, including the 3K miles from Utah to Alaska! My first post was during lunch and now I'm home and am disgusted with all 3 of my B2s right now so taking a day off from them. I''l let ya'll know what I find when I feel like tackling this one again.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
Well,
I'm beginning to think it's a head gasket problem. I pulled the radiator and found the petcock would not drain, hmm. Drained it via the lower hose. Back flushing it push out some nasty stuff. Radiator now flows good in all respects. Pulled the thermo adapter, no thermo installed, hmm... Had a spre and swapped it in. Cranked her up and waited for flow through the radiator. After about 15 minutes of running the upper hose feels hot but the rad is still stone cold. I did notice a bit of white smoke at teh tail pipe this time but the weather was a bit cool here in Alaska and there was no noticeable water at the tailpipe??? If I'm getting steam or just air pushed from the cylinders into the water passages why no flow? Oh yeah, I had to move the truck with the rad out and no coolant was pumped out. Hmm, this might be a 2 part problem. I have seen a water pump fail for the rotor coming off the shaft on a 66 Mustang. I suppose that'll be the next test but on this 85 getting to the water pump looks like about 3 steps from pulling the heads!
I'm beginning to think it's a head gasket problem. I pulled the radiator and found the petcock would not drain, hmm. Drained it via the lower hose. Back flushing it push out some nasty stuff. Radiator now flows good in all respects. Pulled the thermo adapter, no thermo installed, hmm... Had a spre and swapped it in. Cranked her up and waited for flow through the radiator. After about 15 minutes of running the upper hose feels hot but the rad is still stone cold. I did notice a bit of white smoke at teh tail pipe this time but the weather was a bit cool here in Alaska and there was no noticeable water at the tailpipe??? If I'm getting steam or just air pushed from the cylinders into the water passages why no flow? Oh yeah, I had to move the truck with the rad out and no coolant was pumped out. Hmm, this might be a 2 part problem. I have seen a water pump fail for the rotor coming off the shaft on a 66 Mustang. I suppose that'll be the next test but on this 85 getting to the water pump looks like about 3 steps from pulling the heads!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 0
From: MARYLAND
check the oil..look like cholocate milk? steam comming out of the exhaust pipe will be a sign of a bad head gasket.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
put in an explorer radiator
my b2 was constantly running hot. Changed flimsy factory radiator for
new 91 explorer radiator from advanc auto. runs cool as cucumber now.
bolts right in same as original. hoses hook right up. factory radiator
was plastic with only 1 core. explorer has metal and 2 cores. no more
heat problems.
new 91 explorer radiator from advanc auto. runs cool as cucumber now.
bolts right in same as original. hoses hook right up. factory radiator
was plastic with only 1 core. explorer has metal and 2 cores. no more
heat problems.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye, AZ
If thermostat, very right as I had two in a 2.8 replaced the top one even though that one looked new, still overheated after banging my head against the wall for a while, had a well seasoned tech after finding humor in my plight finaly tell me I should just remove the lower rad hose adapter to which I found the factory thermostat still there.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
EconolineFan
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
22
Jun 25, 2019 04:18 PM
bevisbeck2
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Aug 22, 2016 09:18 AM
st8yd
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
17
Nov 30, 2015 07:23 PM
