Overheating '78 F150

[shortbed]

Flareside_Thunder . . . A couple of the parts counter guys also suggested that and we hiked out to my truck and checked the dip stick and exhaust pipe. They thought there would be water in the oil or water in the exhaust if there was a gasket leak. What would you suggest I do to be sure it is or is not a gasket leak . . .?

 

[shortbed]

oh, and we didn't see anything on the dipstick, and I've checked it a couple of times since then, or anything in the exhaust or in the tail end of the exhaust pipe.

 

[flareside_thunder]

well with mine it showed no evidence of contamination...luckily a small amount was leaking and going right into the cylinders then getting burned off.....but yet again no evidence of it whatsoever....no water in tailpipe no rough idling no water in oil no oil in water nothing......it was a "hunch" you could do one of two things. Either pressure test the coolant system, or do a test on each individual cylinder for rapid leakdown...

 

[shortbed]

Well, you know, this sounds like something I should check out, but it also sounds like something that would require tools I don’t have. I think I will run your idea by a neighbor who knows a lot more then I do about engines and who also knows the folks here abouts. I’m living way out in the country, and also new to this part of the state. But maybe he will know someone in town that can run the checks you suggest. Thank you Flareside

 

[Mil1ion]

And MiL1on, like I’ve mentioned, I’ve run the truck without the thermostat . . . That is NO thermostat at all and it STILL overheats. If the thermostat was causing my truck to overheat, don’t you think removing it and not having a thermostat at all would rule out the thermostat as the cause of the problem?

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I stated the T-stat is NOT the problem

I am trying to put myself with your truck and there are certain things that have to "be right" to start with to make sure nothing is being misinterpreted.

I need you to make sure the coolant is NOT over-filled and to also put a candy thermometer in the coolant to verify the temp.

Gauges and Sending units LIE all the time.

Also what is the ratio of coolant to water mix 80/20,60/40,50/50, 40/60,0/100

Is the engine timed correctly.

All these things have to be taken into consideration first.

I have a 429 with a 2 core rad 195* F T-stat and don't have any cooling/over-heating issues whatsoever.