Ford 4000 running hot

[ted1060]

Morning, I have just recently bought a ford 4000(1974) and she is saying on the temperature gauge tht she is running hot. Drove it back from where it was bought for about an hour and 20 didn't boil up or smell hot. Iv tighten fan belt and checked radiator pipes. I did notice when hot, top pipe on rad very hot and bottom is cold. Wondering if thermostat is stuck? No bubbles in radiator. Block is very hot after 20 mins of running. I have heard the sender and receiver of temperature can be temperamental. What are your thoughts don't want to mess engine up.

 

[Dry Rot]

Water pump?

 

[ted1060]

Water pump doesn't look to be leaking

 

[Nearly]

Water pump doesn't look to be leaking

If the impeller is spinning on the shaft it won't be pumping.
Or radiator needs flushing out.
Is the fan belt tight?

 

[ted1060]

Will have a check tomorrow on water pump

 

[ted1060]

What temperature should top radiator read, also block etc ? got a thermo gun to check tomorrow.

 

[Timbo]

What temperature should top radiator read, also block etc ? got a thermo gun to check tomorrow.

No more than 82c on the block

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Swap it for a DB990?
SS

 

[Happy hillbily]

Have you checked the rad with a light from behind, might look clean on the outside, but the center could be blocked.
Get yourself one of these, got mine two years ago for £12 off eBay, handy thing to have. Can detect cold spots on the rad, takes the guesswork out of anything heat related.

 

[britt]

The thermostats on the 600s were renown for sticking/failing. I would imagine it's the same engine. Just take it out, if it's got still got one.

 

[ted1060]

took thermostat out and ran no high temp, water is circulating well. Looks like a stuck thermostat. Did put it in a boiling kettle and it started to work after alot of heat and boiling. Wont risk putting it back in will get a new one. Do I need one in? the one iv taken out is a 82degrees one would you put a 74 degree one in so it opens up earlier ?? Or leave it out , water in the radiator is flying round now!! Thermostat will slow flow down

 

[agrimax]

Yes,put a new one in. It restricts the flow to give the water going through the radiator time to be cooled by the fan. If there's no restriction,the hot water from the block doesn't get cooled in the radiator enough before going back into the block which in turn gets hotter and hotter and can lead to overheating.
Think there were three temperature recommendations for the thermostat.I'd stick with 82 degress. Also,an engine is more efficient and will suffer less wear at a controlled operating temperature.
Going by the hot DB thread earlier,there's plenty on here say take it out and leave it out...It's there for a reason.

 

[powerontheland]

Check that the radiator hoses are not sucking in on themselves and restricting water flow, had this on mine after she had sat for 10 years

 

[Timbo]

100% put a stat in. You'll be back with glazed bores and drinking oil if you dont.

 

[ted1060]

Thank you I'll get ordering one tonight and get it fitted. Agriline good quality?

 

[ted1060]

Fitted new thermostat, new water pipes and a new radiator cap, still says she is running hot. Shot the top of block just under head on right hand side read 174 top of rad was 166 bottom of rad 97 other side of block 166 . Are these readings ok after running for 40 mins. Sent for a temp reader and voltage regulator, any other ideas welcome

 

[Happy hillbily]

Second pic it looks like you have the Lazer pointer on the fan shroud, see if you can get it on the actual rad at the bottom.
166⁰f is only 75⁰c I would say that's about right, you would have to give it some work to see if it gets really hot.

 

[5020man]

Fitted new thermostat, new water pipes and a new radiator cap, still says she is running hot. Shot the top of block just under head on right hand side read 174 top of rad was 166 bottom of rad 97 other side of block 166 . Are these readings ok after running for 40 mins. Sent for a temp reader and voltage regulator, any other ideas welcome

Spot on.

 

[Wisconsonian]

The thermostat is barely opening, you can tell by the temp drop from the block to the top of radiator. The temp on thermostat is the temp that the thermostat starts opening, not fully open till much hotter.

 

[crofter 65]

If it's not actually running hot it may have a voltage stabiliser on the temp gauge and if they fail it can make it read hot.