2.8 cooling prob's- thermostat relocation

[Eric Kropp]

I have to say I am kind of lost here. I have an '83 with the '85 intake and upper stat set up. I have never had to burp or force coolant to get it to cool correctly. I installed a new 180 degree stat and fill it with coolant and run it at an idle with the radiator cap off and stand there watching the radiator fill with coolant ready to put in when it drops. I go back and forth watching the gauge and the fill until every thing I touch is hot and the radiator will not take any more coolant. I think if the temp is up and there are still cold hoses in some places, sound like the stat.....

Eric<><

 

[strvger]

does to me too. i know this sounds silly, but it happens... are you sure the new t-stat is in correctly and not upside down?
other than that, it may be bad even if it is new. that is an all too frequent occurrence with thermostats, i'm afraid. i'd get another one, the 'fail-safe' type that if it sticks, it does it in the full open position. at least your engine would still be cooled even if it did malfunction.
good luck and post up with what you find!

 

[Eric Kropp]

When you folks say there is air or bubbles in the system, are you coming to that conclusion 'cause you hear cavitation in the heater core or hoses or are you seeing space in the radiator when you take cap off a cool radiator? Or is it something else.

Eric<><

 

[kimcrwbr1]

When you folks say there is air or bubbles in the system, are you coming to that conclusion 'cause you hear cavitation in the heater core or hoses or are you seeing space in the radiator when you take cap off a cool radiator? Or is it something else.

Eric<><

All I know for fact is when the heater is not working the t-stat dont work correct. I have never figured it out why and no one else has given a good explanation on why. I know for sure if you put a flush tee in the heater hose coming from the intake manifold to the heater core and pour coolant in it until it runs out the radiator it will fill the upper part of the engine and the heater and thermostat will both start working. It only takes about $5 and ten minutes to prove me wrong or you can just keep bumping your head on the bumper.

 

[BIGBLOCK44RANGER]

ok, seems that the new t-stat did the trick for the overheating. Heater still wasnt real hot, so I pulled it out and it weighd like 3lbs. lol Put in the new heater core and filled coolant with the temp sensor on the upper housing loose. works like a champ. temp stays a little below halfway and heater gets warm within about 5-10 mins. Thanks for all the advice and help.

 

[strvger]

glad you finally got it all sorted out. sounds like you'll be good to go for quite a few years now.

 

[r1hatman]

Attaboy!

 

[BIGBLOCK44RANGER]

ya, actually been drivin it for almost a week, been gud to go so far(fingers crossed)

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I cant remember did you put the stat on top. Glad you got it up and runnin.

 

[BIGBLOCK44RANGER]

no, just put in another new stat-and drilled a small hole in the top. Plus the new heater core.