Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Help with overheating...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 2, 2008 | 02:46 PM
  #1  
bhtx's Avatar
bhtx
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Help with overheating...

I got my grandpa's 77 when he passed and after the old 351 blew I had a guy put a 400 from a lincon of the same year.

It has now gotten to the point that it overheats and I have tried everything to fix it.
Water pump check
Radiator check
New carb check
New exhaust check
Thermostat check
had it checked for head gasket leak

A guy I talked to said that there may be gunk built up in the block that is causing the overheating.

If this is the case is there any fix for it other than tearing it down?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Brian
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 03:32 PM
  #2  
JBradley500's Avatar
JBradley500
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: America
is your timing right??

heres an article from mustang monthly on cooling system troubleshooting.

Car Overheating Problems & Troubleshooting - Tech Articles - Mustang Monthly Magazine
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 06:21 PM
  #3  
montana_highboy's Avatar
montana_highboy
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
If your vacuum advance is connected to ported vacuum, reconnecting it to manifold vacuum will help keep your engine cooler at idle.
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 06:24 PM
  #4  
Jermafenser's Avatar
Jermafenser
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,956
Likes: 10
From: MD
Fan shroud present?

Color of coolant?
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 09:17 PM
  #5  
OldMetal's Avatar
OldMetal
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 1
From: US/Baja border
Are you sure it's overheating and it's not the guage that is just reading high? If not you may simply have a faulty sending unit.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2008 | 12:38 AM
  #6  
bhtx's Avatar
bhtx
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I haven't checked the timing, I am not sure if the mechanic did or not.

I don't have a clue about vacuum stuff so I will have to do some reasearch on that.

When it first started getting hotter than normal I took the fan and shroud off and got an electric fan for it. Good idea or not?

It is definatly getting too hot as the radiatior cap starts spewing right about the time the guage goes past H.

Thanks for the help.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2008 | 01:11 AM
  #7  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by bhtx
When it first started getting hotter than normal I took the fan and shroud off and got an electric fan for it.
Good idea or not?
Not.

These trucks all came with fan shrouds and either 5 or 7 blade fans.

Tens of 1000's of them were sold this way, and there were no TSB's back then on any sort of problems with overheating.

What temp thermostat are you running? Originally it was 192 degrees.

A simple fix is to install a 160 or 180 degree thermostat.

btw: It's REAL EZ to install a t/stat BACKWARDS!

That happens every dang day, because backyard or shade tree mechanics or owners that make repairs, do not pay attention to how parts are installed.

When installed backwards, the t/stat will barely open, and only when the temp gauge needle is on H. It may not open PERIOD!

The element on the t/stat faces towards the engine.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2008 | 02:42 AM
  #8  
73F250Ranger's Avatar
73F250Ranger
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by NumberDummy

These trucks all came with fan shrouds and either 5 or 7 blade fans.

Absolutely. Shroud makes gigantic difference in cooling ability. I also wholeheartedly agree with the cooler thermostat fix.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 3, 2008 | 10:39 AM
  #9  
bhtx's Avatar
bhtx
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I will definatly put the fan and shroud back on then.

I have tried different tstats and even left it off with the same results.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:11 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE