1993 ford bronco overheating

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Aug 13, 2008 | 01:36 AM

cowboyarmymedic

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1993 ford bronco overheating

it has a 302 with 165xxx miles on it i was towing my 14 foot boat up a hill and notice the temp gauge went way up. stop let it cool then and then checked fluid in it and it was good. was pulling a trailer with it the other day and it got hot again, and it blow the the hose off the bottom off the raditoar, so i change the themostat and hoses and raditoar it still gets hot, some one said blown head gasket but no water in the oil and and the coolet level is good. then is no water out the tail pipe. i was going to put a 351 in it anyway becuse i want more power for pulling so what is my problem

Aug 13, 2008 | 05:21 AM

b4hntn

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From: Longview, TX

I would check fan clutch (super duty clutch improves A/C also), 50/50 antifreeze mix, replace radiator cap, check timing, and test for vacuum leaks with unlit propane torch. Put a socket on the crankshaft bolt and rock the crank back and forth to check timing chain slack. I like mechanical oil and temperature gauges.

Aug 13, 2008 | 10:08 AM

Kemicalburns

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From: Bend,OR

what temp t stat did you install? whats the timing set at currently?

Aug 14, 2008 | 10:10 AM

steel120

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I tow a boat with my 86 winsor 351, it used to also heat up, however, after installing a new fan clutch, it is now normal. Did you look at the water flow with the radiator cap off to see if the water pump is functioning properly. I had to replace the water pump once in the lifetime of my 173,000 86 5.8l. I also added an after market transmission cooler, this helped a great deal. I towed a 19' boston whaler up and down the east coast for several years, 1000 miles each way, before I left Maryland an moved to Fl. Now I cannot hardly afford to drive the Bronco..at todays gas prices. Poor gas MPG, maybe 10..

P.S. the thermostat could also be stuck??? Since you indicated high pressure after warming up..

Good luck Bob

Last edited by steel120; Aug 14, 2008 at 10:11 AM. Reason: edit

Aug 16, 2008 | 01:06 AM

gungho351

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From: Gillette, wy

I had a problem with my last bronco. It was a 95, with 150,000 on a 5.8L. I was nearing the end of a 1800 mile trip, when it started to overheat. I replaced the t-stat and waterpump. Still overheating. Last option was the radiator. Changed it and the heating issue went away. I cut the radiator open, and you couldn't even see through the cores they were so plugged. A lot of people forget that the cooling system needs maintenance too. Just another option to look at.