ShadowWolf
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2014
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Vehicle Year
- 1984
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.8L
- Transmission
- Automatic
I have a 1984 bronco II 2.8l v6 that I recently changed both head gaskets on after loosing a heater core hose (The one that is under the crank). With the thermostat removed the truck cools just fine and can sit there idling all day and barely reach 190 and while driving the temp gauge will sit at the very bottom of the norm range. However, With the thermostat installed the truck quickly shoots up above 190 at the upper housing (The thermostat is in the lower housing). If I drive the truck around a bit and then get out and feel the lower hose it is cold and the top hose is scolding hot, the heater hoses are also very hot. At this point the temp gauge is up at the top of the norm range and the heat is VERY hot, if I check the temp at the upper housing with a laser thermometer I get upwards of 220. Yet there is no circulation in the radiator. I flushed the system out about 4 times and that did not help at all. I'm at a loss as to why the thermostat will not open (the stat is rated at 192 and I checked it by heating a pot of water to 200 and submerging it). Can anyone here help me out with this truck? It was fine until that one hose broke and sadly I was on a section of highway that does not have a pull off. So I was painfully forced to drive it so the closest safe area and by that time I had a heavy knock. Thankfully the engine seems to be ok and I simply had to replace the head gaskets.