Oil Pressure and Temp advice new Ranger

[Williams26]

Hi all,

Just got myself a 1984 ranger running a 2.8 v6 with a carb.

New to these engines and learning a bit more about them. Topped my oil off the other day as it seemed to be a bit low on the dipstick, and since then, oil oressure is running right at the top of normal. Is this too high? Car came with some 20w50 which the previous owner was running in the car.
Also, temp seems to be fine when moving, but seems to heat up when sat still. Running the cabin fan with the heat up brings the temperature down, as does getting moving again. Thinking ill start by changing the thermostat. What temp is sensible for these to open?

Thanks

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome.

I have an '84 2.8 as well; they're basically good little trucks.

I feel that 20W50 is too thick; I run 10W30 in mine. Motorcraft FL-1A is the only filter I run. The thick oil is likely why your gauge reads high.

I'm not sure if 180 or 190 degrees (F scale here) is stock for the thermostat on these (actually never changed mine- it works). What I do suggest is to flush clean water through the cooling system, and change the antifreeze every 2 years. Corrosion seems to build up on these pretty bad if the coolant system is neglected. There should be a fan shroud; make sure that yours has one.

Welcome to TRS. We would love to see some pics of your truck, especially one in the UK.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Thermostat would be a longshot for the symptoms described
Slow to warm up(stuck open) or overheating when driving(stuck partially closed) would be symptoms of bad thermostat

Test the fan clutch
Cold engine before starting in the morning
Open hood and try to spin the fan
Should be hard to spin, its "cold locked"

Start engine
You should HEAR the fan grabbing air for a few seconds then it will quiet down
Shut off engine after 15seconds
Spin fan again, should spin easily, its unlocked

If fan spins easily BEFORE starting engine the first time then fan clutch is bad

The fan clutch has a bi-metal spring on the front, it is heated up by the Radiator
As engine warms up thermostat opens and sends warm coolant thru radiator so radiator heats up
As radiator heats up the spring heats up and expands, uncoils, this closes off passages in the clutch plates and causes the fan to spin closer to water pump pulley RPMs pulling more air thru the radiator, the warmer the radiator gets the more air the fan pulls thru

After driving and getting home let engine idle a minute or two so temp gauge starts to go up
Shut off engine
Open the hood and spin the fan, should not spin, you can move it but should be stiff
If not then fan clutch is bad


A cooling fans sole purpose is to pull air thru the radiator when stopped or driving slowly(this is why the shroud is so important)

When you are driving above 30MPH then the vehicles movement is pushing more air thru radiator than any fan could pull it thru

 

[Williams26]

Thanks for advice both.

Will look to get some slightly thinner grade oil and see if that helps with the pressure. Assume running it at the top end of normal won't cause too much damage short term till I can get it changed?

Will have a look at fan clutch this weekend. I have the truck in storage so can't immediately go look at it. Does appear to have top shroud if you look at this screnshot from a video. Will check the bottom of it this weekend as well.

Also, see a pic of the truck just for general interest

 

[RobbieD]

I hate to be the one to tell you, Sir, but some thieving scoundrel has stolen your front springs.


Just kidding! I didn't know that lowered trucks were a "thing" over there.

I don't like too thick on engine starts, and with cool or cold temperatures, but I think that you'll be OK to change the oil when it's convenient.

You have what looks like a guard over the engine fan, but your truck doesn't have air conditioning (AC) so I think that is what it's supposed to have. AC equipped trucks would have a full fan shroud, so that the fan pulls more air through the radiator (and associated AC condenser).

Thanks for the pics. Neat looking truck; I hope that you enjoy it.

 

[Williams26]

Thanks! The truck is on air suspension so that's it when it's at its very lowest.

Lowered trucks are always really popular over here, but there's not actually very many about of any variation, European or otherwise. So an American patina truck that is lowered is pretty unique!

Not owned it long but my mind is already running away with some plans for it, but want the basics right before I start anything else