What Have You Done to Your FORD Today

[1985 Ford F-150]

Thermostat might be stickin a little it should be the slower ya go the hotter it gets because of reduced air flow to the radiator. Thats pretty hot even for a 195 degree thermostat and a built motor dont know your specs on the motor but unless it .060 over or more it shouldnt be gettin that hot. My 85 will sit at 190 all the time highway or city drivin the only time its got real hot is when I let the coolant get a bit low and took it up a steep canyon.

 

[taxreliever]

Thermostat might be stickin a little it should be the slower ya go the hotter it gets because of reduced air flow to the radiator. Thats pretty hot even for a 195 degree thermostat and a built motor dont know your specs on the motor but unless it .060 over or more it shouldnt be gettin that hot. My 85 will sit at 190 all the time highway or city drivin the only time its got real hot is when I let the coolant get a bit low and took it up a steep canyon.

^^^I'd say you're fine...considering you have a pretty built engine. I was more or less discussing stock engines. But it does sound a little high to me...just keep an eye on it and don't push it. Temp shouldn't get that much hotter at highway speeds.

Should I replace the thermostat?

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Wouldnt hurt I usually replace em once a year. Might also go to a 185 so itll run a little cooler. Ya might not have as hot of a heater in the winter but itll help in the summer.

 

[LEB Ben]

Should I replace the thermostat?

Pull it...throw it in a pan of boiling water and make sure it still works before you replace it. It should open AT LEAST a quarter inch.


You also still have e-fans right? So that rules out a fan clutch. Could also be a few other things. But with the condition that thing is in, I don't think I'd start worrying until the temp starts creeping higher. Your truck isn't stock anymore, so stock specs don't apply. On the flip side, could be air in the system, could be a blown head gasket...but if it's always acted this way, I wouldn't investigate too much further than the tstat.

 

[gsxr1238]

Do you have access to an infrared thermometer?Check the top tank temperature and then the lower tank temperature.With the system hot and flowing,the lower tank should read somewhere between 10-14deg.cooler than the top tank.If the readings are greater or closer together,suspect a flow problem either through a restriction in the core,inoperative regulator(thermostat),collapsing lower hose(generally under load),or a cavitating water pump impeller.If you test your thermostat in a pan,use a candy thermometer as well to see the opening temperature.Hope this helps.

 

[flareside_thunder]

Changed the ECT sensor and procrastinated on pulling the intake to fix the oil leak again...

 

[taxreliever]

Wouldnt hurt I usually replace em once a year. Might also go to a 185 so itll run a little cooler. Ya might not have as hot of a heater in the winter but itll help in the summer.

I think I'll do this.

Pull it...throw it in a pan of boiling water and make sure it still works before you replace it. It should open AT LEAST a quarter inch.

You also still have e-fans right? So that rules out a fan clutch. Could also be a few other things. But with the condition that thing is in, I don't think I'd start worrying until the temp starts creeping higher. Your truck isn't stock anymore, so stock specs don't apply. On the flip side, could be air in the system, could be a blown head gasket...but if it's always acted this way, I wouldn't investigate too much further than the tstat.

Yeah, Ben, I think you're right about taking this too far....this thing was compression tested a few months ago, dyno'd and everything was tip top shape.....It has dual electric fans and the regular fan on the motor is still on there as well.

Do you have access to an infrared thermometer?Check the top tank temperature and then the lower tank temperature.With the system hot and flowing,the lower tank should read somewhere between 10-14deg.cooler than the top tank.If the readings are greater or closer together,suspect a flow problem either through a restriction in the core,inoperative regulator(thermostat),collapsing lower hose(generally under load),or a cavitating water pump impeller.If you test your thermostat in a pan,use a candy thermometer as well to see the opening temperature.Hope this helps.

No on the thermometer. Is there a way to check the temp from top to bottom any other way? If not, I have a friend who has one I could borrow.....the only problem is it could idle and drive fine at lower speeds all day long and temp is normal.

So, just to clarify, cause I am not up to some of your guys' mechanical prowess, we are talking engine temp or water temp or both or are they the same reading or what? I have the normal gauges that are original to the truck where there is just a dial and low to high on temp readings, then I have an aftermarket gauge that is reading temps straight from the radiator. Can one of you guys set me straight on this issue? I appreciate the help.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I think I'll do this.



Yeah, Ben, I think you're right about taking this too far....this thing was compression tested a few months ago, dyno'd and everything was tip top shape.....It has dual electric fans and the regular fan on the motor is still on there as well.



No on the thermometer. Is there a way to check the temp from top to bottom any other way? If not, I have a friend who has one I could borrow.....the only problem is it could idle and drive fine at lower speeds all day long and temp is normal.

So, just to clarify, cause I am not up to some of your guys' mechanical prowess, we are talking engine temp or water temp or both or are they the same reading or what? I have the normal gauges that are original to the truck where there is just a dial and low to high on temp readings, then I have an aftermarket gauge that is reading temps straight from the radiator. Can one of you guys set me straight on this issue? I appreciate the help.

These are good questions Ken. It was never explained to me. I was always taught to replace the thermostat once a year. I am interested myself.

 

[Fordzilla80]

I drove it to school.

Oh wait, there's two trucks now. I drove the Ranger to school.

 

[flareside_thunder]

Pull the accessory bracket off for the AC/PS and cleaned the timing cover so I could get a better idea of just WHAT it is that is leaking.....found out My harmonic balancer is slowly coming a part so I'm doing research for a new one right now...tryin to find the pros/cons between OEM and "performance".

 

[Ridgerunner]

Pull the accessory bracket off for the AC/PS and cleaned the timing cover so I could get a better idea of just WHAT it is that is leaking.....found out My harmonic balancer is slowly coming a part so I'm doing research for a new one right now...tryin to find the pros/cons between OEM and "performance".

Stock engine? I would look for a good used one,temporarily.

 

[flareside_thunder]

Eh, mild engine...Think I'm just gonna go with a stocker.....but since I'm so close..Mighht as well do the timing cover gasket as well......which would help me with an excuse for a cam...hee hee hee

 

[Ridgerunner]

Eh, mild engine...Think I'm just gonna go with a stocker.....but since I'm so close..Mighht as well do the timing cover gasket as well......which would help me with an excuse for a cam...hee hee hee

Works for me.

 

[taxreliever]

Do you have access to an infrared thermometer?Check the top tank temperature and then the lower tank temperature.With the system hot and flowing,the lower tank should read somewhere between 10-14deg.cooler than the top tank.If the readings are greater or closer together,suspect a flow problem either through a restriction in the core,inoperative regulator(thermostat),collapsing lower hose(generally under load),or a cavitating water pump impeller.If you test your thermostat in a pan,use a candy thermometer as well to see the opening temperature.Hope this helps.

Here's a picture...no shroud and the dual electric fans are pulling air into the vehicle and are wired to work regardless of whether the truck is running.

 

[flareside_thunder]

Bought a new harmonic balancer and intake gaskets...along with some other stuff for cleanup and leak fixin.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Had the body shop guys come and look at the 79, should have a rough estimate tomorrow.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Bought a new harmonic balancer and intake gaskets...along with some other stuff for cleanup and leak fixin.

Cool hopefully it won't take you too long to fix it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Had the body shop guys come and look at the 79, should have a rough estimate tomorrow.

With a little luck it will be reasonable.

 

[DNFXDLI]

With a little luck it will be reasonable.

I am gonna guess 7-10k.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I am gonna guess 7-10k.

Seems to be the going rate for good quality work.