operating temp

[lodden758]

whats the operating temp for a 2.8? just wondering because mine never gets above 150 on my gauge and that seems a little low i think.

 

[strvger]

probably a bad gauge? mine stays around 200-205. i have a 190* thermostat in it. had to get an aftermarket gauge because the old one only went all the way to the top... even when it was -20 outside!

 

[lodden758]

i have a after market gauge, and the dash gauge doesn't even move into the normal operating lines. bad thermostat maybe?

 

[Big Jim M]

Prolly!

i have a after market gauge, and the dash gauge doesn't even move into the normal operating lines. bad thermostat maybe?

Put a factory Ford 197* thermostat in there.. they come with the check valve to allow air to exit the engine while filling.
Then when refilling make sure to have the heater turned to HOT and fill it while running and keep filling it till after the thermost opens and gives you a big whooosh of air out the radiator cap.. If you don't get it full of coolant you will have a good chance of burning a headgasket..
Big JIm

 

[dangerranger83]

Or worse cracking one of the heads.

 

[BeaterMan]

my 85 runs at 190 in the hottest days of the summer. before i did some cooling upgrades it ran 215-225. once it got to 230 and the coolant was boiling in the overflow . I moved the thermostat to the top, put a hd explorer radiator in, added a electric fan and put a 180 thermostat in. holds 190 railing up i70 on a 100* day no problems.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Im guessing it is the t-stat or the oring gasket that seals it is not in place properly not allowing the engine to come up to temp.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

do you have your aftermarket gauge in a "T" with the stock gauge sender? i ran my 3.0l like this for a year or so and it always read 160*, then i tapped the manifold and put the gauge sender in its new home and now im reading 195*-225*.