Keeps Overheating

[lxman]

How do you test a t-stat before you put it in?

 

[Beasty306GT]

Put it on the stove in boiling water

 

[lxman]

Wow didn't know that thanks.

 

[89stang1]

All thermostat brands fail or even show up DOA.
This is why you always test it before you put it in.
The mr gasket is much less of a restriction when it's open.

yup u are right should always test therm before u put it in trust me i will for now on!, after I took the bad therm out and put it in a pot of boiling water it never opened!!!!

 

[lxman]

Yeah I definitely will to from now on.

 

[lxman]

I am going to upgrade my radiator but since I'm on a budget/ broke, lol. What would be a good/best radiator to get from a junkyard to replace my old 4 banger radiator I'm currently using? Thanks guys!

 

[Vinnietbird]

Fox Thunderbirds and Cougars share the same radiators. I personally understand being out of funds for the car, but you really should just save a few bucks and buy a new one. No telling what shape the radiators are at the salvage yard, and that's an important part for the car. Autozone carries heavy duty pieces, and Ebay has them as well.

 

[2000xp8]

Unless you buy someones quality used aluminum aftermarket radiator, don't waste your time on a used one.

Try pepboys or autozone and get a 3 row.
Back in the day i payed $129 for my one from pepboys and it served me well for years.
It was at least twice as thick as the stock radiator.

 

[lxman]

Cool! Thanks guys.

 

[rustyruststang5]

i have a radiator i could sell you. upgraded 2 core brass i took off my moded 5.0 if your intersteded and a shorud would help out alot!
pm if you want more info on the

 

[lxman]

PM sent thanks man!

 

[ratio411]

Fan and shroud only needed when driving less than 40 mph.
The air deflector and incoming air handle cooling after that.

If the car is cooling via fan without shroud at low speed, then the radiator is working.

Check your lower radiator hose.
Most common overheating over 40 mph is due to soft lower hose sucking shut and not allowing water flow. A new lower radiator hose will be needed if it is too soft. Try to get a hose with a spring inside.
If you are broke, you can 'make' a spring out of a coat hanger to keep the hose from closing.
This is a bandaid until you can get a new hose. If you can't find one with a spring, install a spring.

 

[ratio411]

Have a friend rev the engine up and hold it while you watch the lower hose.
If it is really bad, you will see it flatten out.

 

[ratio411]

Oh, also, your radiator cap MUST hold pressure to cool at highway speed.
(Entire system must hold pressure at that)

 

[lxman]

My lower radiator hose does have a spring in it. I guess I could try a new cap. I just thought of something, my tranny cooler is mounted in front of the A/C cooler thing in front of my radiator. Could I have to much there and need to move my tranny cooler?

 

[lxman]

My air deflector is there but since my front bumper cover is broken it seems a little flimzee. Lol I can't spell. Should I have my friend make me out of then sheet metal?

 

[2000xp8]

Some believe the air deflector works, some don't.
I have no experience living in a place where temps are over 105 daily, so in those places i guess it could work.
But NJ has had it's 100 degree days in the summer, and i've never had an air deflector.
One would think in North Dakota, that it wouldn't be an issue there either.

 

[lxman]

I looked in my radiator last night and it looks nasty as hell, but fluid looks good. I think its bad so I'm going to replace it and see what happens.

 

[2 Foxes]

How are you determining that you are overheating?
Is the car puking coolant ?
Are you using a factory gauge ?
Please be more specific.

 

[lxman]

Both! Its spitting out coolant and the factory gauge goes way above normal almost were I can't see it.