rockinstephen

Greetings! My '92 5.0 LX convertible seems to be running hot. The gauge goes way up to the red mark indicating 180 deg. The engine hasn't overheated yet, but I don't want it to. The radiator has been replaced. Is this normal? Do I need to replace the thermostat? What does anyone think?

Bubba 95SN

Stock thermostat is 195* The system is pressurized. Each pound of pressure raises the boiling point 3* 16 lb x 3 = 48 + 212 = 260 before overheats.

rockinstephen

Thanks Bubba 95SN. You seem to indicate that I don't need to worry about a boilover. But I still do wonder why the gauge is at at the high end and if I have some problem. How hot does the temperature actually get?

Bubba 95SN

Stock gauge are not accurate. This reading with a mechanical gauge?(my preference). In my 95 the electric fan does not come on until 221* with factory settings. With flip of a switch I can run factory settings or turn fan on high.

Dj_Seph

Word on the factory gauge being garbage. Mine would go up to the red while the car was still cool to the touch. Mechanical gauge has now given me a sigh of relief. Car doesn't get hotter than 180.