Running H-O-T-T Hot

I had already bypassed the heater core as I new it was clogged. I'll check the timing once more along with the water pump. Someone local suggested getting some platinum plugs, any truth there? Thanks a bunch y'all.

David
 
Try checking the belt. If it is slightly loose it will slip without making the obvious noise, and affect cooling temps. (I know it is a longshot, but it is worth a check).

Bill
 
Hey guys, just thought I would let y'all konw that we ended up having to tow the falcon. I didn't get to do to much to so I'm going to go and try a few more things. I'll knock the timing up and see how that goes. Wish me luck.
David
 
After long last I now have a working temperature guage due to a new sending unit. Now I see that the engine runs hot...about 90% of the way to "H". 75 oF morning, 15 minute commute on city streets to work. Before I go replacing thermostats and thinking about water pumps (I already have a new radiator and hoses), does anyone have a feel for the relative temperature calibration of those needle guages used on a 69? Since I have no way to measure absolute temperature, where should the needle be? the middle? Seems obvious, but how hot is hot?
Bob (69, 200, headers, no ac).

ps. the engine runs great. no starting issues or warmed-up operating issues.
 
69Stang: Stock gauges are notoriously inaccurate, that's why they don't put numbers on them. :roll:
You might want to start the car with the rad cap off until the thermostat opens (water starts flowing around top of radiator), then stick a meat thermometr in the coolant. That will give you a good temp reading. :wink:
 
One thing not discussed here is hte really low timing. You should be at 12-15 deg advanced at idle per spec.

If you're at 5deg, you're doing something artifical to get the idle smooth - either turning the idle speed way up, or running to rich, or someting else. If your idle speed is to low, your fan isn't moving very fast, which could exaserbate the problem. Or you could have your fan on backwards :)

So, first I would set the timing back to 12deg, adjsut the idle speed and fuel mixture accordingly.

I would replace the thermostat with a 160deg unit. I say that only beacuse, in my experience, the 160deg thermo solved a big problem for me. It's a cheap, quick fix and no more than $5 to swap out with a new thermo and gasket.

Then I would consider upgrading to the 5-blade fan from a V8, installed in the proper direction :). It's a tight fit but it works. I have it in my car and am very happy.
 
Mine is a 170. The book says 6* BTDC for timing. Is the 12-15* you guys are talking about for a 200 or what? Is my book wrong?. Lemme know on that one.

As far as running hot, I have a newer radiator, but can't remember how many rows. Anyway, ever since I put it in, my engine has run very cool. Don't have a real temp gauge so I don't know the actual #. But it used to run at 3/4 of the way up on the dial. After the new radiator it usually ran at less than 1/2 way unless it was hot outside & I was sitting in traffic, at which point, it might get past 1/2.

Now I have redone the top end & was having some almost-overheating issues. I replaced a few year old 192* Tstat with a new 180* & that seems to have helped. Yet, it is consistently running back over the 1/2 way mark & if I am not moving it climbs a bit higher. If I turn it off for a couple minutes, when I start it up again, the needle is almost pegged to the hot side. Any ideas what is going on? Could this be a timing problem or does a rebuild typically run hotter than a tired old thing?

Thanks,
David K
63 Comet
 
Isn't it a little higher timing for the auto tranny.

Would adding the headers cause you to run leaner? did you change carb too, add pcv?
 
I mean I think the book says 6 degree's and then add so much for automatic..Mines in the car and not here nut thats my recollection from my 170.
 
Automatics specs call for more initial advance. However, I never saw a six that didn't like more than factory spec on the initial advance.

I set them all to 12-14 degrees BTDC.

BTW, failed distributor ignition advance is a known cause of engine overheating in Jag V12's.
 
I agree, these engines love advance. Mine is at 20 initial. Time it with a vacuum gauge. Adjust until you have the highest reading. take it out and drive it and fine tune plus or minus from there. Then check out the temps.


Bill
 
I quote this for those of us who no longer have room behind the rad to fit a fan. From TFFN;

Ronald,

I wrote a tech article in the May issue of TFFN online magazine on the
glories of a Jeep Wagoneer Radiator. The dimensions are about
16-1/2"x26-1/2" and the upper/lower tanks nestle neatly behind the
upper/lower frame supports. I cut a few inches from either side and moved
the regulator to the DS inner fender wall and the battery to the trunk. a
63-1/2 year V8 style PS inner fender with the recessed battery may be OK as
is. Since writing the article I have gone to a twin electric fan that does
about 2500 CFM and has helped out alot with AC and Calif. desert temps. The
cross flow Volvo rad is a better design than the conventional upper/lower
type and has a pressurized surge tank (not overflow) that helps to bleed out
air and eliminates the cap from burping at high RPM's. But either will work.
Good Luck! PETER

Just need to be able to fit between the upper and lower structual pieces, then can go wider and forward. Maybe do the dual fans to keep away from the pulleys. I know I can go forward 3.5 inchs and have room for my condensor. Has anyone done this? Also can we use a crossflow rad?

Thanks,
don

don
 
WornTired;
I am suspicious of the 5 degree advance and the 3/4 turn setting on the carb's screws. Normally on an '83 you should be running 8-10 degrees advance and NO VACUUM to the distributor unless the engine is cold or overheated (Ford's CSSA system). The carbs are typically set at about 2-3 turns out: at 2/3 turn it will be very lean (1940-series carbs) or rich (2100-series carbs).

What is the distributor advance plate set to?

MarkP
 
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