Engine Still overheating

[JMcTurnan]

Well I removed thermostat, it still somewhat reaches half-3/4 do you think a head gasket? The only other thing I can think of is that the radiator is not big enough, it came off a f100 with a straight 6, and im running a 302, is it big enough? ANy other ideas?

[fordman]

the 6 cyl radiator is not big enough for the 302.

[NM5K]

You need to verify that the temp reading is correct #1.
I'm betting it probably is..
Then to check for head gasket leaks you need to check for
bubbles, etc in the radiator while the engine is running.
I think this was outlined in another thread.
If you see no bubbles coming up, see no white milky looking
crud in the oil, and are not losing water, I doubt you have a
head gasket leak. Are you losing water fairly quick?
See whitish wet looking smoke from the exhaust
when the engine is warmed up and hot?
If no to both of those, I doubt you have a gasket leak.
I still think you need a new radiator myself..
I don't know if the 6 cyl version is large enough for a 302
or not. "assuming in new shape". But I can sure see a
half clogged up 6 cyl radiator having a hard time cooling a
302.
Could be the pump impeller is shot, but I pretty much
doubt it.. That doesn't really show up that often. Or at
least when compared to the likelihood of it being the
radiator. Does it seem worse at faster speeds?
Probably the radiator. That's when a clogged radiator will
seem the worst. The engine is putting out a lot of heat,
but the coil is clogged and not letting the radiator transfer
heat to the air.
Seems to me, a radiator that was rated for the 300 six,
should be able to handle a 302, ***if*** in good shape.
But.. I think yours is probably about half clogged up.
I went through the same thing when I first got the 68.
I had to get a new radiator. And I got one with a lifetime
warranty, which is good as I've had to use it.
I've had two in a row that swelled up along a seam, and
started pinhole leaking. I noticed on the last one I got,
they crimped the metal ridge along that line to make it
stronger and less likely to swell out.
If you end up getting a new one, order one for the exact
truck/engine you have to make sure you get the right one.
BTW, put the T-stat back in.. Running with no stat is bad
mo-jo! The engine does not get up to proper temp. Runs
too cold. Bad, bad, bad...

[papabug71]

Go to wal mart, buy a 10 dollar mechanical temp gauge. You dont have to hook it up under the dash if you dont want to, just hook it up & put it somewere under the hood just to get an actual tempature reading that is in degrees instead of "1/2 to 3/4". If your trying to keep it original, you can simply remove the mechanical unit & re-install your old sending unit after you get a temp. reading. BUT, I wouldnt trust a factory gauge+sending unit as far as I could throw it.

More than likely fordman is correct. The 6 banger rad. is too small to handle the heat of a V8...

[JMcTurnan]

Alright, I think Ill try a temperature gauge, and if it's not that Ill see If i can get a new one.

[JMcTurnan]

I dont think it would be to much difference on the radiator somewhat, because I originally had the radiator for the fairlane the 302 came out of in it, and I went with the 6cyl one, which was much bigger. I mean I understand its hauling alot more body, but you think that much?

[fordman]

the radiator disapation rate is what is important. the radiator must have a certain surface area to cool the coolant fast enough before it is put back into the engine.

[JMcTurnan]

So should I put the old one on? Or im really not sure? I meanI wouldn't severely trust my gauge, but it probably is near the area temperature. I have a new engine im going to put in anyway, but id like to get it solved so I know it's safe to sell. Im thinking of 2 areas, head gasket at the worst, but isn't putting oil in radiator, or white smoke. I haven't looked for bubbles but Ill do that tommorow. I don't have a air cleaner on my carb, but that wouldn't be it I dont think. Last thing I can think of is inaccurate rating, or the radiator.

[fordman]

i would ignore the guage. if the radiator hasnt boiled over then the guage is probably wrong. those smaller radiators thoguh could cause a problem in the future. is your core support cut out large enough fo rthe full size radiator? i fnot you will want to cut it out to keep flow goign through the larger radiator. not cuttign it out and using the larger radiator wont do anything except waste your time putting it in.

[JMcTurnan]

Oh I never even thought about that, thats actually a possible assumption. It may be, theres no bubbles. So that tells me its not a head gasket. So it may be a radiator, or what about a vaccum leak?

[fordman]

vacuum won't make it hot. you did get em to thinking about my 93 with a 5.0 or 302 in it. the timing chain has alot of slack in it. and if timed properly the enigne will overheat because the timing chain is worn out. if i adjust the timing it wont over heat. but it runs like poo.

[JMcTurnan]

Yea, I mean I can run and drive it now. It doesn't show much problem, the only thing I notice is when you press the gas pedal down, about 1/4th the way its fine, but when you hit 1/2 the way to the floor it seems to sorta studder itself. But when you go to 3/4-full it will get up there. But remember my last post about loss of power, when i timed it it started to book it, and it will start after It has already warmed up. So timing did help that. But what about that studder?

[fordman]

those symptoms point towards a flat spot in the carb. i think. fine tunning a engine hasn't been very easy on me. so its hard to tell others what to do if it needs a fine tuning. i am more of a major overhaul type of person. i am just not good at that kind o fguess work or symptom diagnoising.

[papabug71]

Get an air cleaner & a good filter on it too. Better not drive it down any dirt roads untill you do. Things could go sour real quick with no air cleaner...

[JMcTurnan]

Yea, I dont have any dirt roads I drive on right now. I have one, but Ill have to put the oil exhaust part on the cap, on the other side of the cleaner.