Over heating??

[Gate141]

Hi guys! First time posting here.

Just bought a 1988 Ford Ranger..and realized it was over heating. Changed the thermostat for one rated at 192 degrees (pic below)

I let it idol today for about 5 minutes and It still seems like it’s running kinda hot.

What’s your advice? Is this a normal temp? Or should I get a thermostat rated for a lower temp.

Btw...learning a whole lot about my truck still! Very much a novice but super excited to dive in

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I mean thats a lil hot yes, assuming the gauge is accurate, mine usually runs 1/4-1/2 way up the gauge.

Overheating a 2.9 is bad, their heads are there only weakness...youre not losing coolant are you?

Oh and 192 should be fine...factory was 195. I have a 185 in mine but it really doesnt matter.

Id wire in a manual gauge and see if its really getting hot.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

So, there's tons of stuff you can do with a 2.9... add boost, go the high compression route, put a carb on it...



The one thing you can NEVER do with a 2.9 is overheat them. You will break stuff if you do, and possibly blow a head.

Odds are that your block has casting residues still in it if its never been rebuilt. Not something to fret over, but definitely something to be mindful of.

If you've never flushed your rad, block, and heater core, now would be the time to do so. Make sure to BACKFLUSH as well until the water is clear both directions. Disconnect and flush each one independently as well to avoid trapping debris in your system.

I run a 180F high flow thermostat on mine, but my engine was running a standalone before, and is now running twin turbos and forged internals. Its a safety factor for me. A 180 high flow in your case may cause some fuel economy issues.

Id recommend staying in the 185-192 range., Motorcraft if available. Replace your rad cap at the same time. Also switching to G05 coolant.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Fan Clutch
This device is used on most RWD(rear wheel drive) mounted engines to pull air through the radiator when driving slowly or stopped
And they do wear out
A sign of this is when temp gauge goes up when stopped or driving slowly but temp goes down again when driving above say 40MPH
Fan clutch uses radiator heat, not engine heat
When engine is cold, before starting it open the hood and try to spin the fan blades, should be hard to spin, locked
Start engine and run for 20 seconds or so then shut off engine
Spin fan again, should be easy to spin, unlocked
After radiator/engine is warmed up, shut off engine and spin fan, should be locked again

If fan clutch is not locked it can be two things, clogged radiator or bad fan clutch
After rad/engine is warm pull fan shroud back and run you hand over rad surface feeling for cool spots, you will feel it
Rad should have nice even heat getting less warm toward the bottom at lower rad hose
If there is a cool spot in the middle then fan clutch won't lock fully