cooling a 2.9

[d9n]

hey guys,

I have a stock 2.9 radiator and when I'm running 60mph the stock gage is reading between the n & o, is this normal? My radiator is a 2 core, is there a up-grade, perhaps to a three core?
thanks

 

[mkpecor]

its fine, go with a after market guage or you can put an explorer radiator in its place.

 

[Big Jim M]

A three core is available...but it won't make the thing run cooler! The thermostat is what controls the temperature.. Your engine should run at bout 205*.. What you have said sounds about right to me.. As long as it ain't puking it's coolant out you will be Ok.
Big JIm

 

[Jspafford]

its fine, go with a after market guage or you can put an explorer radiator in its place.

You can't tell jack with a stock guage. You could be on the verge of overheating and the stock guage may be on the O in normal.

If your concerned about your engine, get a mechanical guage and spend the 1-2 hours installing it.

You won't regret it.

 

[poweranger84]

thats how mine is normally....but evey now and then itll read around the o r.

 

[Syko]

mine never went past the m so i never trusted it. bought an aftermarket one and in the winter its runs around 160 in the summer 180-190 just driving

 

[holyford86]

the 91-94 explorer automatic with air conditioning radiator is the one that is over 2 inches thick, the other explorer radiators are similar in thickness to the stock 2.9 radiators. If it was me I would make sure that the cooling system is functioning properly and the coolant is in good condition, I would also install a mechanical temperature gauge. and if the engine still overheats then I would consider adding more cooling capacity (larger radiator, more/better fans, etc).

 

[Jspafford]

I installed a mechanical guage like mentioned above. I also have a less than 5 year old radiator in the truck. The hoses are who knows how old, but in good condition. The waterpump is the same age as the radiator. The motor was out a couple years back and flushed while on the stand.

In the winter I only get up to 190 on the highway. In the summer it will run up to 190 fairly quick and stay there on the highway. In traffic it will hover around 190-200. If I am sitting in traffic with the A/C on and no airflow the highest it's ever been is just a hair under 210. That is as high as I ever want to see it go.

 

[RangerAx]

You can't tell jack with a stock guage.

want me to say that again?

You can't tell jack with a stock guage.

get the idea yet? without telling you the story of just how stupid I was to get to where I did......
my engine's cooling system froze in the winter two years ago...and as you can imagine the truck way overheated.....and yet the stock gauge showed nothing.

so one more time for good measure...

You can't tell jack with a stock guage.

 

[madman_2]

My Explorer runs between the o and r (about 210). So youre running fine! If you're so worried about it (like if you mud with the pedal to the metal), take the thermostat out. You wont have any heat coming out of your heater though. lol

 

[koolmilds]

Ford is not in the industry of manufacturing quality and precise measuring devices. therefore, the coolant temperature gauge is only an indicator of how well the cooling system is operating. the "NORMAL" range is a fair amount of sweep on the needle to say the engine is running at a specific temperature, dontchaknow ? ive always preferred a quality aftermarket gauge for more specific detail of how my engine is operating.

 

[Jspafford]

How many times must I say, "NORMAL" is a word, not a measuring device.

How do you know it is 210 when it's between 'o and r?'

Ford guages are nothing more than a glorified dummy light.

Chevies use much better guages. The one in the work truck moves from cold to hot, and the oil pressure guage also moves when driving.

 

[engdept]

I do believe the thicker auto 4.0 Radiator is only because of the transmission cooler that is built into the radiator.

A mechanical gauge is a good investment. An electric aftermarket gauge is also good, but not as good as a mechanical gauge.

 

[Jspafford]

I do believe the thicker auto 4.0 Radiator is only because of the transmission cooler that is built into the radiator.

A mechanical gauge is a good investment. An electric aftermarket gauge is also good, but not as good as a mechanical gauge.

I feel comfort knowing the same threaded temp sensor that is screwed into the side of my engine is all one piece up to the back of the guage. In fact that makes it a bitch to install. Not being able to seperate the sending unit, and most importantly not wanting to kink it in the process.

The only electrical on the guage is from the backlighting.

 

[koolmilds]

the thickness of the radiator is dependent upon the amount of rows(cores) it has. the end tanks are fatter because of the trans cooler.

I do believe the thicker auto 4.0 Radiator is only because of the transmission cooler that is built into the radiator.

A mechanical gauge is a good investment. An electric aftermarket gauge is also good, but not as good as a mechanical gauge.