Do I Have A Cooling Problem?
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
Do I Have A Cooling Problem?
I have a 1985 Ford F150 with a stock carbed 302 with Edelbrock aluminum intake and Holley 4V carburetor. Ignition system changed over to Duraspark II, and no emissions components left on the truck, except the PCV and EVAP systems. I just put in a new stock Ford radiator, radiator hoses, and heater hoses, topped off the system with plenty of coolant. The water pump doesn't appear to be leaking either.
I previously had an aftermarket cheapo 180 degree thermostat, and the temperature needle always read between the "O" and the "R" in the "NORMAL" scale. I replaced the thermostat with a stock Motorcraft 190 degree thermostat, and now the temperature needle always reads between the "A" and the "L" in the "NORMAL" scale. I am in the HOT summers of South Carolina, and there isn't much further it can go before it really runs HOT! Is it normal for the gauge to read this way? I am constantly looking at the gauge, hoping it isn't going to boil over. Any ideas?
I previously had an aftermarket cheapo 180 degree thermostat, and the temperature needle always read between the "O" and the "R" in the "NORMAL" scale. I replaced the thermostat with a stock Motorcraft 190 degree thermostat, and now the temperature needle always reads between the "A" and the "L" in the "NORMAL" scale. I am in the HOT summers of South Carolina, and there isn't much further it can go before it really runs HOT! Is it normal for the gauge to read this way? I am constantly looking at the gauge, hoping it isn't going to boil over. Any ideas?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,965
Likes: 2,725
From: Virginia
Go get a real gauge and see what it says. I know my 1980 guage read about 190 degrees around the "o" in "normal". When I put a 180 in it, it ran around the "n". I knew this because I could see the needle bounce back and and forth at these spots on a very cold day.
If you start having pinging problems with the guage reading that high, that's a good sign it's getting ready to overheat.
If you start having pinging problems with the guage reading that high, that's a good sign it's getting ready to overheat.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
Thanks, Franklin. Okay, there is no pinging when the engine is that hot. That makes me feel a little bit better, but I would like to know what changed. How do I know it isn't the sender? Or the water pump? Or the thermostat? Any easy ways to tell? Where do I hook the gauge up to?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,965
Likes: 2,725
From: Virginia
You will have to pull the sender out, and put the new guage sender in it's place. Also, since you have taken a lot of the emission stuff off, there is a chance you might have an extra hole going into the intake manifold coolant passage that is used by a sensor that you are not using anymore, and you could put the new guage sending unit in that hole.
If you want to take it to a shop, they have a probe or a infared heat gun they can point at the radiator and see how hot it really is.
Since you were fine before the thermostat swap, you have to wonder if there is something wrong with the new one.
If you want to take it to a shop, they have a probe or a infared heat gun they can point at the radiator and see how hot it really is.
Since you were fine before the thermostat swap, you have to wonder if there is something wrong with the new one.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
I know the thermostat is not in backwards. I made sure to install it correctly.
Well, I expect it to run hotter, uncle.stosh. But isn't 7/8" down the temperature scale rather hot? I read on here from numerous other members that using the stock (hotter) thermostat is better for the engine as far as sludge buildup, etc., so that is why I went back to the stock rating. I am going from an aftermarket Stant 180 degree back to a STOCK FORD MOTORCRAFT 190 degree thermostat. My question was, IS IT NORMAL FOR THE GAUGE TO READ THIS WAY WITH THE STOCK THERMOSTAT?
You replaced the 180 stat with a 190 stat.
Of course it's going to run hotter.
I'd put a 180 back in there if it was me.
Of course it's going to run hotter.
I'd put a 180 back in there if it was me.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
Its gonna run hotter but shouldnt be that much hotter. Get a aftermarket gauge that is really good at reading and go from there.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Also did you "burp" the cooling system? Perhaps there is an air pocket? On a cold engine, run the engine with the cap off until the thermostat opens and the air bubbles out. then you can top off the radiator etc.
Also Uncle stosh has a point. Since you don't have the emissions stuff anymore, and if you live in a warmer climate that don't need the heat for the heater in the winter, I'd use the 180 degree thermostat.
And one last bit of advise. I always test a thermostat before I install it. Get a pan of water, drop the new thermostat in the water, and heat it up on the stove, and watch the temp with a candy thermomiter. takes the guess work out of the equation.
good luck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
I would read the gauge (as well as you can read these gauges) as a sign that something is wrong, but not bad enough to pull over and imediately stop for. YET...
Something to definately fix though.