Running Hot-baffled!!

strtracer442 · Dec 12, 2003

Hey, anyone got suggestions.
heres the problem and the combo.

89 LX runs way to hot,236degrees.

does not boil over, does not detonate, pulls really strong.
Both the factory guage and one that reads the ecm temp
indicate the same thing

I have replaced the thermostat(160), water pump(aluminum hiflow)
the waterpump is correct for the serpentine drive.
Engine is not lean
No detonation, plugs are a little discolored(rich)
Radiator is aluminum 2 core from Alternative
2800cfm electric fan, comes on at 180
Motor is CHP347 Streetfighter with TW TrackHeats
All machine work and Port work professionally done.

I assembled the motor myself, not my first, but is my first SBF

any body got suggestions as to where I screwed up.

Thanks

SwAmPf0x · Dec 12, 2003

New motor Im guessing? has it run hot since new? if so you may have the head gaskets on wrong, are you sure that the "front" marking on the gaskets is to the front of the engine on both gaskets

SRsnake · Dec 12, 2003

You may have gotten air into the cooling system causing it to get fluctuating readings. Do your temperature readings fluctuate? or do they stay constantly about 200. Burping it may fix it? Thats my guess.

NKau · Dec 12, 2003

swampfox beat me to it; mis-installed gaskets seem to bite more than a few people in the ass when they go to fire up an engine for the first time. SRsnake brought up a great point too though; if you have air in your cooling system it can cause your engine to run warm also.
I've never heard of 'Alternative' radiators. Are you positive the one you have is correct for your application? Have you pulled the radiator cap off the radiator when the motor is cold, run it up to operating temp and verified that coolant is in fact moving through the radiator once the thermostat opens?

strtracer442 · Dec 12, 2003

Temps climb steadily, do not fluctuate, just continue to
riseup to 230.
Radiator is from alternative auto,michigan.
Is this burping thing a common problem with 5.0s
only cars i came accross with that problem were GMs
Guess I might have to take the heads off. Damn!!

SRsnake · Dec 12, 2003

You should obviously try to do any minor thing you can before you take your heads off. Im not sure if the burping problem happens a lot but i had to do it once on a 1990 GT. Just go through the small things first(im sure youve already done some of these). Change your temperature sensor. Check to see if your radiator is free: run your hands down the side of the radiator after its been running for a couple minutes and check to see that it has uniform temperature (I know its a new radiator but it doesnt hurt to check). And just flush the system again.

The other guys are very correct about the head gasket being installed wrong because its a very easy thing to do. I would just hate to see you go through that work if you dont have to. Goodluck.

SRsnake · Dec 13, 2003

Also, are you running stock water pump?

strtracer442 · Dec 13, 2003

Water pump is Federal Mogul high flow(Cop car)
Has a disc like the flow cooler factory installed

All ready flushed the radiator 3 times, even added 1 1/2
bottles of water wetter

I'm gonna jack up the front end and run it, to see if it
burps. If not then i guess I'll have to take the heads off
Thats gonna suck, motor has studs and long tubes, what a bitch.

Thanks for the Input

IndyBlk5.0 · Dec 13, 2003

strtracer442 said:
Water pump is Federal Mogul high flow(Cop car)
Has a disc like the flow cooler factory installed

All ready flushed the radiator 3 times, even added 1 1/2
bottles of water wetter

I'm gonna jack up the front end and run it, to see if it
burps. If not then i guess I'll have to take the heads off
Thats gonna suck, motor has studs and long tubes, what a bitch.

Thanks for the Input

ahhh its a mustang it happens, im changing my head gaskets and through out bearing right now, now thats a bitch

SwAmPf0x · Dec 13, 2003

What gaskets did you use? you may be able to tell if one is on wrong by looking at the tab that sticks out on the front corner, Fel-Pro's have the gasket number printed there, I looked at mine....passengers side the number is down, drivers side is up.

strtracer442 · Dec 13, 2003

Head gaskets are on wrong, just took a new set of felpros out to the
garage to check against the installed ones. definitely not installed right
cant seee much of either gasket, let alone the part#

I cant believe I did this, oh well guess its time to fire up the heater,

thanks for the help

Mavrick · Dec 13, 2003

It happens! You will just remember to check 10 or 12 times next time you put some gaskets on

Mavrick · Dec 13, 2003

Why does installing gaskets backwords cause an overheating problem, does this block the coolant passages?

SwAmPf0x · Dec 13, 2003

Yes the rear passages should be open and the front ones blocked, this usually means one gasket goes on upside down compared to the other, easy to get wrong if you dont pay attention, I can see the part number on my set, little tab sticks out at the lower front corner of each head, Fel Pro 8548PT2's

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