1986 302 temperature reading
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1986 302 temperature reading
So over the past year i have pretty much gone through the whole engine compartment and replaced everything that needed it. all the way down to new head gaskets, all new grounds, almost a completely new ignition system, new radiator, water pump, and basically everything except a few of the injectors which were cleaned anyhow. Well she runs like a top, pulls a ton of power but I'm afraid she is running a bit hot. Where does your needle usually sit on the stupid "normal" temperature gauge. right now mine sits in between the A and the L.
I'm considering taking off the long tube headers and wrapping them with header wrap. Thoughts on this? and also any tricks to get to the thermostat out of these bad boys. The cast water outlet piece has 2 bolts. one which is impossibly hard to access....
Dimitri
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I'm considering taking off the long tube headers and wrapping them with header wrap. Thoughts on this? and also any tricks to get to the thermostat out of these bad boys. The cast water outlet piece has 2 bolts. one which is impossibly hard to access....
Dimitri
Oh and a picture
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From: Virginia
1st thing to do is get a aftermarket temp gauge and install it, to see what temp you are really running. If the factory gauge is right, you are running a little warm, but you can't rely on it, you need a second more accurate opinion from another gauge.
Were you careful when you put the head gaskets on? I believe it's the 302 where the head gaskets can be installed improperly, plugging a few holes and making the engine run warm.
The headers are not making it overheat by the way.
Were you careful when you put the head gaskets on? I believe it's the 302 where the head gaskets can be installed improperly, plugging a few holes and making the engine run warm.
The headers are not making it overheat by the way.
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will change gauge tomorrow or the next day and get back to you. I'm pretty darned sure I did the head gasket right. I was careful and they have text on them that tells you where to put em. hopefully its just the gauge because I'm not smoking and I seem to run pretty well when I'm whipping around. Even spinning a little tire every once and a while
Also opinions on wrapping the headers any how? Would the excess heat cause the engine compartment to get too hot shortening the life of the external engine components? Also any tricks on getting that pesky bolt out to get to the thermostat? Looks pretty close to stripped from who ever did it last....
Also opinions on wrapping the headers any how? Would the excess heat cause the engine compartment to get too hot shortening the life of the external engine components? Also any tricks on getting that pesky bolt out to get to the thermostat? Looks pretty close to stripped from who ever did it last....
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From: Virginia
Header wrap shortens the life of the headers and voids their warranty if they have one. The only problem you sometimes run into with headers is the heat will get into the starter and cause it to fail.
No tricks on the bolt, sometimes you have to get creative with these things to get them out.
No tricks on the bolt, sometimes you have to get creative with these things to get them out.
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so. Got my after market temp gauge. Good news. I installed it. Bad news. Well my heat steadily rose to about 230. Oh jeez. Have a new radiator and mostly new hoses. Fan Clutch is fine. So I found I had a stuck thermostat which I will replace tommorow since today is my 21st birthday so its time to hit the bar.
For those who don't know to check for a stuck thermostat there are two ways
1. take your radiator cap off (when truck is cool) and run the truck up past operating temp. Watch the water level in radiator, if it doesn't significantly drop, or if it rises in spills over your thermostat is generally stuck
2. Run the truck up past operating temp. Touch Both the upper and lower radiator hose. The lower will always be warmer but if it is significantly slow, or if in extreme cases such as mine the upper is stone cold while the lower is mighty warm thermostat is probably stuck.
Thanks for the help franklin.
Dimitri
For those who don't know to check for a stuck thermostat there are two ways
1. take your radiator cap off (when truck is cool) and run the truck up past operating temp. Watch the water level in radiator, if it doesn't significantly drop, or if it rises in spills over your thermostat is generally stuck
2. Run the truck up past operating temp. Touch Both the upper and lower radiator hose. The lower will always be warmer but if it is significantly slow, or if in extreme cases such as mine the upper is stone cold while the lower is mighty warm thermostat is probably stuck.
Thanks for the help franklin.
Dimitri
