Cooling issues

[M1]

Im a noob!!! Just thought id get that out of the way. Anyway I just bought a 91 w350 and it was overheating while pulling grades with about 5k lbs. behind it. It climbed all the way to the H at one point. The guy I bought it from told me he thought the sending unit for the guage was bad. He said he put some king of a probe on it to test it. Im not sure I trust his word yet, but I ordered the unit anyways. I am going to try that first, and see what happens. If you guys have any ideas or suggestions where to go if that doesn't work it would be greatly appreciated.
Matt

[Begle1]

The sender may very well be bad.

BUT, the radiator that comes stock with these trucks is anemic in the extreme. If you're pulling you are probably going to want a bigger or newer radiator; in 91.5 they went to a crossflow that's a lot better, but a lot of guys drop in massive Ford Super Duty radiators for even better coolant.

That said, you might have a bad fan clutch, sender or even a radiator packed with dirt. Those things are all a lot eaisier fixes than dropping in a new radiator, so try those first.

I'm in more or less the same boat as you. I don't haul anything, but even unloaded I can overtemp my truck in a hurry at 3000 RPM in 105 degree weather.

[CAJUN 93]

the stock cooling system on any of these trucks should be able to do what your asking with no problem. 1st, verify there is an overheating problem. it sounds like your already on your way with that. 2nd, if it is overheating, verify that everything is at least up to stock levels. restricted radiator (inside or outside), sticking t/stat, cooling system gummed up, blown head gasket, etc can all cause overheating. make sure what you have is working properly and it should be able to pull 5k to the surface of the sun.

don't be in a hurry to modify. often your just covering the symptoms not actually fixing the problem. kinda like a band-aid on a broken leg

daryl

[M1]

The sender may very well be bad.

BUT, the radiator that comes stock with these trucks is anemic in the extreme. If you're pulling you are probably going to want a bigger or newer radiator; in 91.5 they went to a crossflow that's a lot better, but a lot of guys drop in massive Ford Super Duty radiators for even better coolant.

I remember now that the previous owner said he did upgrade the radiator.
The coolant is full and looks very clean. I need to get that sending unit in and see what happens. Thanks
Matt

[M1]

the stock cooling system on any of these trucks should be able to do what your asking with no problem. 1st, verify there is an overheating problem. it sounds like your already on your way with that. 2nd, if it is overheating, verify that everything is at least up to stock levels. restricted radiator (inside or outside), sticking t/stat, cooling system gummed up, blown head gasket, etc can all cause overheating. make sure what you have is working properly and it should be able to pull 5k to the surface of the sun.

don't be in a hurry to modify. often your just covering the symptoms not actually fixing the problem. kinda like a band-aid on a broken leg

daryl

So if the sending unit isn't bad a radiator flush and test would maybe be the next step. Maybe a new t-stat. the head was just rebuilt so the head gasket is new. Thanks for the help.
Matt

[TWorline]

Check the radiator fins to make sure you are getting enough air through the rad.

[M1]

My fan shrowd is warped and cracked with some ugly repairs. Would that play a big factor?

[dpuckett]

I pulled 10K behind my 91 with no shroud at all. As long as the shroud doesnt get in the way of the fan, I'd leave it alone.

Clean stuff out real well, maybe even get the radiator rodded out or whatever they do. Keep in mind a new one is around $150-175, so dont spend too much on it.

Daniel