New Radiator

[Twister]

Ok so i bought a new explorer rad for my B2, do i need a 13lb or 16lb rad cap?

 

[Big Jim M]

Six of one and half a dozen of the other!

Ok so i bought a new explorer rad for my B2, do i need a 13lb or 16lb rad cap?

Either should do the job...BUT the 16lb one will hold six or so degrees more temperature than the 13 will.
I'd use the 16 on anything I was working on.
Big JIm

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

Use what's recommended for the engine in your truck.

 

[BeaterMan]

did you get the standard explorer rad or the heavy duty 2 row one? either way i would try and use the 16lb.

 

[Twister]

i got a 2 row one. What is a normal operating temp for the 2.8l, I got a after market gauge and dont know what temp to make sure it sits at and what temp to avoid?

 

[Big Jim M]

Ya put a 195* thermostat in there and you never look at the gauge again... Wait till you smell/see coolant and then you worry! Your temp will change nearly 20* in normal driving. Don't worry about it.. That is normal.
Big JIm

 

[Twister]

well i replaced my t stat awhile ago with a 192* one. But what is the normal operating temp for the 2.8l

 

[Big Jim M]

The operasting temp depends on the thermostat installed. With a 195 in there the temp should hoover between 200* and 220*.. that would be considered NORMAL for that engine. In fact all modern engines run at about the same temp with the proper thermostat installed.
Big JIm

 

[Twister]

ok then what about a 192 stat. or do you mean that when u say 195?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

192-195 same thing the computer works best at the higher temps as long as it is all working together if you are getting alot of codes or cant get rid of any codes and you dont need to pass emmisions your money ahead to duraspark it and put a 180 degree tstat in.

 

[Twister]

well i am pretty sure my computer doesn't really do anything lol. My carb system really doesnt do much lol. my carb is not hooked up to with electric choke.

And i plan on doing the fuel injection for the 2.8L, i still don't understand carbs so i thought why not just do the swap that makes more sense to me.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

The choke does not have much to do with the computer it is the plug on the back of the carb that f`s things up but if it idles good and runs good the comp and all the sensors working dont fix it. GL

 

[Twister]

what plug on the back? and what would i be fixing? sry i am tires and worn out.

My car doesn't run good at all, i get 8mpg, it idles like shit and is really doggy.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

The feedback solenoid on the back of the carb runs off the computer if your burning alot of fuel then the computer is not working correct. Anyway I would use the 13 lb radiator cap as you will be running hot enough as it is. Is your thermostat on the lower radiator hose going into the engine as that causes the engine to naturally run hotter also as long as your not losing coolant dont worry too much about it.

 

[Twister]

SO how do i check and see if my computer has gone bad, or the feedback solenoid?