• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Engine Help cooling issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter Old Sarge
  • Start date Start date Oct 1, 2019
O

Old Sarge

Member
Oct 1, 2019
3
1
13
Fl
Oct 1, 2019
#1
  • Oct 1, 2019
  • #1
Ok new to this so I hope I’m doing this right
I have a 91 fox with TFS 1 cam 165 heads, and AOD. Put this motor to get her and have been running it around town for about 2 months. Now when driving it the ten gage sits in the middle to slightly below. The issue is when at idle for more than 15 or 20 mins gage goes up and pushes coolant into over flow tank but doesn’t boil. I changed the radiator to a 2 core and replaced the fan clutch. Still the same. Doesn’t have the usual head gasket signs so I block tested and all good. No leaks any ware and hold pressure. Cap too is good. T-stay is a 195 and new. Is it a flow issue? Do I need to upgrade water pump or change t- stat. Or head gasket? Heats up quickly with ac on as well also when it cools fluid returns back to radiator. Been driving this car around for 2 months and it just started this. Any help would be appreciated thanks
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
27,826
10,507
203
polk county florida
Oct 1, 2019
#2
  • Oct 1, 2019
  • #2
First you need to put a real temp gauge in it so you know what your actual temps are.
 

Blown88GT

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1999
2,282
522
164
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Oct 1, 2019
#3
  • Oct 1, 2019
  • #3
One or both of these remain:
Insufficient air flow through radiator.
Insufficient coolant flow through radiator.
 

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to
15 Year Member
Jun 28, 2013
3,427
1,518
194
Maryland
Oct 1, 2019
#4
  • Oct 1, 2019
  • #4
If this car has underdrive pulleys, they could contribute to temp rise during extended idle periods
 
O

Old Sarge

Member
Oct 1, 2019
3
1
13
Fl
Oct 2, 2019
#5
  • Oct 2, 2019
  • #5
No under drives on it, got a high volume water pump coming, will see what happens
I will have to agree on fluid flow. Even with no t- stat I can squeeze the top hose flat with no effort
 

Gs1987GT

Active Member
Sep 25, 2019
484
170
53
MidAtlantic
Oct 5, 2019
#6
  • Oct 5, 2019
  • #6
Yeah that's not right. Seems like there is no pressure in the system if you can flatten that hose so easily.... maybe try another rad cap?
 
O

Old Sarge

Member
Oct 1, 2019
3
1
13
Fl
Oct 6, 2019
#7
  • Oct 6, 2019
  • #7
Well thanks for all your help, installed the new water pump from Gmb, not sure what makes it high looks the same as old one even the impellers, and 192 t stat. It cured the over flow problem in the overflow tank. But still gets a little warm if it idles more than 20 mins with ac off. Put a new motor craft cap on and and seems to be ok now with a/c off. A/ c on at idle it takes a good 15 mins to creep up to around ware the “o” is on normal and quickly comes down when in motion. Normal cruising and traffic lights sits solid at between the M and the A. I can live with that for now lol. My 89 ran a bit warm with the AOD in it too so I guess the extra drag on the engine may have something to do with it. Thanks to you all out there for the help, been hitting up this form for years. Now finally decided to join
 
Reactions: General karthief

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
27,826
10,507
203
polk county florida
Oct 6, 2019
#8
  • Oct 6, 2019
  • #8
Enthusiasts have to remember the these newer (computer controlled cars) run at a higher temp than the 60-70's cars. Kinda hard to get used to. Where 210-220 used to be a cause for concern now it's normal.
 
Reactions: JD1964
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Fox Help
  • 93fox85
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
177
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 23, 2026
Noobz347
M
cooling fan not turning on, but does when ac is on or when coolant temp is jumped or unplugged.
  • Mycarhatesme
  • Mar 14, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
155
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 12, 2026
Noobz347
D
1996 gt mustang block temp vs coolant temp
  • Dkuehn
  • May 21, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
37
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 22, 2026
squeak93
C
Engine Idle cuts out
  • claypoolxx
  • Mar 7, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
22
Views
502
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Friday at 8:28 PM
KRUISR
M
Engine Unexplainable Exhaust Pop and Gurgle
  • Mrnissen122
  • Feb 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
459
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 18, 2026
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?