5.0L General Discussion This section is for non-tech specific information pertaining to 5.0L Mustangs.

running a lot hotter w/ aluminum heads?

Old 05-11-2009, 01:31 PM
  #1  
nacanitihs
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
nacanitihs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Massachusetts, New Bedford
Posts: 3,035
Default running a lot hotter w/ aluminum heads?

ok as you may kno i just reciently did a mild build to my car. GT40X aluminums, f303 and explorer intake. it seems like it runs a lot hotter now w/ the aluminums. is that normal? i know aluminum has different properties than the cast iron. my temp never went above half before, usually hung around the 2nd notch. now after curising on the highway (70mph) for a while it will go up to the notch above half way. but if i get off the highway it will cool down more and be about half.

my other question is should i run a lower thermostat? i have the 195* in now. should i go 180* or even 160*?

thanx guys
nacanitihs is offline  
Old 05-11-2009, 01:44 PM
  #2  
redpony88
4th Gear Member
 
redpony88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,049
Default

your radiator may be getting clogged. cause if you're on the freeway it should have alot of air movin over it... i got mine flushed in my old fox
redpony88 is offline  
Old 05-11-2009, 01:49 PM
  #3  
FivePointOhh
in limbo
 
FivePointOhh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 7,300
Default

get 180 t stat, is your electric/mechanical fan working properly? possibly clogged rad.


did you make sure you put yout head gaskets on the right way?
FivePointOhh is offline  
Old 05-11-2009, 02:05 PM
  #4  
nacanitihs
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
nacanitihs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Massachusetts, New Bedford
Posts: 3,035
Default

fan works just fine because it doesnt get very hot while just ideling. and im 100% positive the HGs are on the correct way. i made a point to check it several times lol.

as for the radiator. um im not sure i mean i had to take it off for the build obv and it drained and filled fine.

ill try running a 180 and see how that goes
nacanitihs is offline  
Old 05-11-2009, 02:09 PM
  #5  
FivePointOhh
in limbo
 
FivePointOhh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 7,300
Default

did you burp the cooling system? is the rad cap old or new? spring may not be operating at 15psi
FivePointOhh is offline  
Old 05-11-2009, 02:12 PM
  #6  
TrimDrip
FudgeDrip
 
TrimDrip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: `
Posts: 3,101
Default

how bout the gauge or sending unit?
TrimDrip is offline  
Old 05-11-2009, 02:15 PM
  #7  
FivePointOhh
in limbo
 
FivePointOhh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 7,300
Default

could be, referencing off the stocker is not a good thing to do. for all you know you could be overheating into the 250*+....
FivePointOhh is offline  
Old 05-11-2009, 02:15 PM
  #8  
nacanitihs
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
nacanitihs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Massachusetts, New Bedford
Posts: 3,035
Default

ya i burped it. i started it let it idle w/ the cap of let it get hot and squeezed the upper hose til i didnt see any bubbles. and the cap is tight and the spring feels stiff like it should.
nacanitihs is offline  
Old 05-11-2009, 02:17 PM
  #9  
nacanitihs
5th Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
nacanitihs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Massachusetts, New Bedford
Posts: 3,035
Default

lol ya i know referencing the stocker isnt good lol but i need to get some fittings for my autometer temp gauge. it just has the bulb on the end and i gotta figure out what fittings i need to get it to work. and all of the sensors and switches are new.

and i dont think it is necessarily overheating just running hotter than it used to

Last edited by nacanitihs; 05-11-2009 at 02:19 PM.
nacanitihs is offline  
Old 05-11-2009, 02:20 PM
  #10  
FivePointOhh
in limbo
 
FivePointOhh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 7,300
Default

it should have came with a reducer fitting that will fit into the stock location and then the sending unit will thread into the reducer
FivePointOhh is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: running a lot hotter w/ aluminum heads?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:44 AM.