84 ranger overheating?

[lufordcas]

i have an 84 ford ranger 2.8l v6 5sp carburated truck, temp gauge has been showing hot (needle pointing at N and above) however after driving for an hour or so with the gauge near the top i opened the hood and the engine was warm but not hot like its overheating, and the radiator was not super hot either. so i figured it was the gauge and replaced that and the sender but am still getting a high operating temp of 210 to 235, but the engine does not seem that hot. just flushed radiator and is full of coolant. other than the temp reading high the truck is running really good now. anybody know whats going on here.

 

[cody93]

check the thermostat?

 

[budro]

Do you have the thermostat in the lower spot in the water pump housing where its supposed to be, or in the water neck? I had one in the water neck and the temp was all over the place literally at a stop sign the heat would go from blowing hot to cold in about 3 seconds. Sounds like it could be your problem except the oppostie. The sender for the temp is right by the water neck on the intake.

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

Do you have the thermostat in the lower spot in the water pump housing where its supposed to be, or in the water neck? I had one in the water neck and the temp was all over the place literally at a stop sign the heat would go from blowing hot to cold in about 3 seconds. Sounds like it could be your problem except the oppostie. The sender for the temp is right by the water neck on the intake.

The thermostat is in the lower water pump housing???? I don't think so. It is in the neck on the manifold at the top of the engine. Put in top of the engine as heat rises. I had a 85 2.8 and it was in the top neck from the factory.
Is there one in both? I don't think I ever had the bottom return hose neck off to recall if there was one in there too.

If I were you I would check your fan clutch to see if it is even working. If it is failed you will get a higher temp when you are stoped because it is sliping and not pulling enough air at idle. Should have some resistance to rotating it when the engine is off. If it rotates free then you need to put in a new one.

As far as it being the water pump, I have never had a bad one that wasn't leaking out the shaft seal. Perhaps you will also need to pull your radiator and take it to a shop to be cored and cleaned. Also check your bottom hose if it is old as it may have colapsed inside and is blocking the suction to your pump.

 

[budro]

Wrong on the older 2.8 engines

The older engines 84 and older had the thermostat in the waterpump housing check out this pdf of the Ranger thermostat.:

http://129.130.165.151/temp/2.8%20Thermostat.pdf

The thermostat is in the lower water pump housing???? I don't think so. It is in the neck on the manifold at the top of the engine. Put in top of the engine as heat rises. I had a 85 2.8 and it was in the top neck from the factory.
Is there one in both? I don't think I ever had the bottom return hose neck off to recall if there was one in there too.

If I were you I would check your fan clutch to see if it is even working. If it is failed you will get a higher temp when you are stoped because it is sliping and not pulling enough air at idle. Should have some resistance to rotating it when the engine is off. If it rotates free then you need to put in a new one.

As far as it being the water pump, I have never had a bad one that wasn't leaking out the shaft seal. Perhaps you will also need to pull your radiator and take it to a shop to be cored and cleaned. Also check your bottom hose if it is old as it may have colapsed inside and is blocking the suction to your pump.

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

The older engines 84 and older had the thermostat in the waterpump housing check out this pdf of the Ranger thermostat.:

http://129.130.165.151/temp/2.8%20Thermostat.pdf

That is an eye opener! I sold my ranger about two weeks ago and they had to change out the water pump as it started leaking on them. Now it is overheating like a mofo. I wonder if they put a thermostat in both connections?!?!?!?!?!?

Thanks for the info and sorry to have called you on that. We learn something everyday now don't we!

 

[lufordcas]

if i get a new thermostat what temp gauge should i get oem 192, 160, 180 and what would be the advantages of different temps, thanks