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

New Upgrades and cooling issues

  • Thread starter Thread starter pavlos413
  • Start date Start date Nov 23, 2021
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Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2007
3,951
2,906
194
Middle of Maine
Nov 27, 2021
#21
  • Nov 27, 2021
  • #21
You don't like it above the midpoint...that does not mean the engine is hot. It just means you don't like it above the midpoint of the gauge. Factory gauges are suspect at best as already pointed out. You need to get a mechanical gauge on it to really know how hot or not it is actually getting. Anything else is just a guess.
 
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mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Nov 27, 2021
#22
  • Nov 27, 2021
  • #22
get a $10 laser heat gun from Harbor Freight and it will help pinpoint the issue and if the gauge is accurate
 
Reactions: TOOLOW91 and pavlos413

pavlos413

Member
Jul 26, 2021
22
13
13
Kansas
Nov 28, 2021
#23
  • Nov 28, 2021
  • #23
Just an update....so I tried burping it again today and I got the temp to stay steady at the R level on the gauge whereas before it was up towards the O on the gauge...I have not driven it far yet but I plan to soon and see how it goes. I was happy to see there was more air coming out of the system so hopefully that was my problem.
 
Reactions: Monkeybutt2000 and Mustang5L5
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chrlsful

Active Member
Mar 6, 2021
278
37
38
Lawrence Swamp, S.Amherst, MA
Nov 28, 2021
#24
  • Nov 28, 2021
  • #24
many believe problems exsist when they do not. If overly concerned when nothing is there, there is no mechanical fix. The 'fix' might B in the mind. Here's the component list. Ck each & fully know after that - all is well?

"...Cooling System Diagnosis?..."
There are abt a doz things U can wrk with to effect running temps. The big one - proper tune.
Here's the areas:

  • leaks in system; air in system
  • correct shroud (fan 1/2 in/1/2 out unless 'flex', that = 3/4 in)
  • coolant - mix%, additives, age, cleanliness;
  • water pump - operation, condition; cavitation;
  • heater core - leaks, condition, it’s fan on/off during servicing;
  • block - water passages;
  • hoses - collapse, leaks;
  • thermostat - condition, temp rating;
  • radiator (sz, # rows, clean?, construction, materials - I like ol style copper)
  • radiator cap - pressure rating, condition, design;
  • fan (blades, design, clutch)
  • flush system last yr. or 2?
  • do not run over lean as I think U said U were earlier
 
Last edited: Dec 6, 2021
Reactions: pavlos413

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,872
10,543
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polk county florida
Nov 28, 2021
#25
  • Nov 28, 2021
  • #25
Just put a mechanical temp gauge on it, jez, why make it hard?
Ain't no O or R or high/low end of NORMAL.
195-215* all 's good, stick it at the bottom of the dash, you might have to move your head a little to see it but a quick glance and there are no doubt or put it in a pillar pod like a race car.
 

TOOLOW91

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?
20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 29, 1999
8,483
8,687
234
S.I.NY
Nov 28, 2021
#26
  • Nov 28, 2021
  • #26
If you haven’t put a mechanical gauge on it just to test the actual temp or even a good temp gun , going on about what the stock gauge is doing is sort of useless .
 

Boostedpimp

20+ Year Stangneter
May 8, 2003
1,451
493
154
NJ
Nov 29, 2021
#27
  • Nov 29, 2021
  • #27
here you go
 

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mattys91gt

Active Member
Feb 3, 2022
391
26
38
Plymouth Massachusetts
May 20, 2022
#28
  • May 20, 2022
  • #28
Mustang5L5 said:
FYI, I just ran my engine.

Edelbrock high flow pump, stock pullies, 20 year old 3-core brass radiator , motorcraft 192 tstat, fresh coolant.

Runs about 195-198 degrees. Stock guage shows about the R on normal.

Before I ran a 180 tstat and the stock gauge would show down around the A. It ran about 185-188 degrees on my autometer gauge.

I’m using this to verify my actual temp. So degree difference in engine temp resulting in a decent amount of needle sweep on the dash guage. I bet if I let it creep up to 205-210 it would be right near the top. I’m happy with it around 200ish. Also, like I said the stock guage just isn’t accurate at all.

Click to expand...
sorry old post where did u get the distributor hold down that looks so much better then my stock one
 

KRUISR

10 Year Member
Apr 16, 2015
1,805
903
143
May 20, 2022
#29
  • May 20, 2022
  • #29
Looks like a stock hold down tab (cleaned REALLY good) with an ARP bolt.
 

mattys91gt

Active Member
Feb 3, 2022
391
26
38
Plymouth Massachusetts
May 20, 2022
#30
  • May 20, 2022
  • #30
KRUISR said:
Looks like a stock hold down tab (cleaned REALLY good) with an ARP bolt.
Click to expand...
in my 91 gt it's a 1/2 inch hex bolt
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,220
17,902
224
Massachusetts
May 20, 2022
#31
  • May 20, 2022
  • #31
mattys91gt said:
sorry old post where did u get the distributor hold down that looks so much better then my stock one
Click to expand...


Stock hold down that I cleaned up and painted. I threw the stock bolt away and bought an ARP stainless bolt to replace it.
 
Reactions: mattys91gt

mattys91gt

Active Member
Feb 3, 2022
391
26
38
Plymouth Massachusetts
May 20, 2022
#32
  • May 20, 2022
  • #32
Mustang5L5 said:
Stock hold down that I cleaned up and painted. I threw the stock bolt away and bought an ARP stainless bolt to replace it.
Click to expand...
thank you I'll have to try that it looks so much better
 
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