Engine Still overheating

Engine, ignition, fuel, cooling, exhaust

Moderators: Ranchero50, DuckRyder

NM5K
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 628
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:52 am
Location: Texas, Houston
Contact:

Re: Engine Still overheating

Post by NM5K »

The flat spot may be a flaked out accelerator pump diaphragm.
You can check for that by looking down into the carb with a flashlight
and look for a small stream of gas to shoot every time you pull on the
throttle. If no squirt, your pump is shot. Usually the diaphragm.
That can also let gas dribble from the base of the carb in some
cases, "like mine" which will cause rough running and too rich.
I still think you need a new radiator if it actually turns out to be running
hotter than usual. Which I kinda suspect it is.. Most factory temp gauges
I see that get flaky show too cold, rather than too hot..
In fact, the one in my 68 is that way.. It barely moves off the bottom
peg when normal.. Only when overheating does it start to read "normal". :doh:
I don't worry about it, as I know it's normal resting point.
If it's obviously overheating with steam, gurgling, etc, I'd be almost sure your
radiator is shot. Like about :hmm: 98.5% sure..
1968 F-250 / 300 six / T-18
Dana 60 - 4.10 Limited Slip
User avatar
willowbilly3
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1591
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Black Hills

Re: Engine Still overheating

Post by willowbilly3 »

Is it boiling over? Do you have a fan shroud? That is a very important part of a cooling system. Removing the T-stat is a waste of time unless you know it's stuck shut and you are just trying to get home. Many engines will actually run hotter without it.
I know it is the easiest thing to change but failure rate on thermostats is very, very low. I bet hundreds of good ones get changed out for every one that really needed replaced.
I know the 6 banger radiator from my 72 300 was way too dinky for any V8. The one in my 68 240 was larger for some reason.
Great ideas have always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.
JMcTurnan

Re: Engine Still overheating

Post by JMcTurnan »

Neither, don't have a shroud, and it only boils over when you hit the gas to the floor.
User avatar
willowbilly3
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1591
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Black Hills

Re: Engine Still overheating

Post by willowbilly3 »

Why do you think Ford put fan shrouds on but you don't need one? Do you have something figured out that their engineers didn't? Is that you in the avitar?
Great ideas have always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.
NM5K
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 628
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:52 am
Location: Texas, Houston
Contact:

Re: Engine Still overheating

Post by NM5K »

Dunno. Most of the older Fords didn't have shrouds.. Mine doesn't.. I think they
are a good idea though. Probably helps when idling at lights, heavy slow traffic
more than anything.
But an old ford truck with a good radiator will not overheat, even without a
shroud. Mine never even thinks about getting hot.. No fan clutch either.
A shroud would do almost zilch at highway speeds with all that air rushing in.
If his is overheating under heavy load, IE: stomping on the gas, it's almost
surely new radiator time.
BTW, I think my radiator in my 68 would probably handle a 302, but it's in
good shape. But I would still get the proper one when he goes to get another
one.
Also.. My truck is a standard, and no A/T oil lines going to the radiator, and
that's just that much less heat to deal with.
A truck with a A/T will generate a bit more heat for the radiator. A/C too..
Neither of which I have. Most trucks with A/T and A/C will use the heavier
3-4 row radiators.
1968 F-250 / 300 six / T-18
Dana 60 - 4.10 Limited Slip
User avatar
willowbilly3
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1591
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Black Hills

Re: Engine Still overheating

Post by willowbilly3 »

At highway speeds you don't need a fan either. I think all the v8 trucks came with fan shrouds didn't they? I don't remember my 65 and 66, pretty sure both did, every 67-72 V8 truck I've owned has had one. If it didn't have one I would put it on, I hate the meat grinder out in the open when I am tuning. The six bangers didn't have fan shrouds, even later they only had a little top shield.
I agree on the new radiator, I put one on a 72 with a 302 and an electric fan. I had to wait about 30 minutes for it to get hot enough to open the thermostat and kick the fan on, idling. It never came on running down the road and seldom in town. I had it on a 195 Fan-stat in the top of the thermostat housing with a 190 thermostat.
Great ideas have always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.
NM5K
Blue Oval Fan
Blue Oval Fan
Posts: 628
Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2004 2:52 am
Location: Texas, Houston
Contact:

Re: Engine Still overheating

Post by NM5K »

I didn't know any of the older ones came with shrouds. But.. Both of mine are
six bangers, so maybe that's why I don't have them. My 68 doesn't even have the
guard on top.
1968 F-250 / 300 six / T-18
Dana 60 - 4.10 Limited Slip
User avatar
willowbilly3
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1591
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2004 7:38 pm
Location: Black Hills

Re: Engine Still overheating

Post by willowbilly3 »

NM5K wrote:I didn't know any of the older ones came with shrouds. But.. Both of mine are
six bangers, so maybe that's why I don't have them. My 68 doesn't even have the
guard on top.
I don't think my 68 did either, real sure the 72 didn't, but the V8s all had a full shroud as far as I know.
Great ideas have always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.
fordman
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 22329
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:17 pm
Location: Kansas, Ottawa
Contact:

Re: Engine Still overheating

Post by fordman »

he has a 6 cyl radiator in it. so there is no fan shroud to put on that unless he can make one.
Post Reply