OK so, she is over heating, at least according to the stock temp gauge, and seller said he "thinks" it was overheating...

So, She does lose coolant, NONE in the oil, no oil in the water. NO leaks that I can see anywhere.

What are my possibilities? At first I thought head gasket, but now Im not so sure. Keep in mind I only let her idle in the driveway or around the block to diagnose, not quite safe for street driving yet.

The temp gauge needle reads about 3/4 after about 15 min idle. direct drive fan pulling constant air at the moment.

I have seen very tiny bubbles in the water, no steam out the pipes. There is also good water movement.

HELP!

 

You need to check the actual temperature. The factory "gauge" was not exactly scientific, and for years aftermarket temp senders have been downright pathetic.

 

I agree with 2+2, check the actual temp and the put a shroud on the radiator, it makes the difference night and day. My 2 core stock rad. Cools my 351 just fine in Hawaii with the shroud. Without it i am allways over 1/2 to 3/4.

 

OK, how would you suggest I check "actual" temp?

Why would I be losing coolant? Thats the real puzzler.

 

A few minutes with one of these lasers and you'll know.



If you don't have access, tape a digital kitchen thermometer to the upper radiator hose. Don't let your wife catch you.

You're loosing coolant because you're filling the radiator. Ford specified the level when cold 1" below the seal ring under the cap. Higher than that, and it will just spew out the drain.

If not the drain, you may just be relieving air pockets inside the engine.

 

I bought a set of cheap Equus gauges today. Hope to install them tomorrow.
Volt, oil press, and water temp.

I hope to see some good numbers out of these!!

 

OK, I got my gauges hooked up and temp went up to 210 then down to 190 and stayed there! This was all at idle in the driveway! SOOO, I guess the next step is to drive it around and keep an eye on it. I think the last owner didnt know wtf was going on, he didnt even have it running! He said "I think it overheated", how do you know with no guage! lol

 

At least you know your t-stat is opening. I would do as suggested and get an infrared thermometer. You will be able to see the temp going into the radiator and exiting. Harbor Freight has them on sale every once in a while.
190 isn't bad at all.

 

So what is normal temp?
I ran her to the gas station and back. 2 miles or so. I let her idle in the driveway to 185 before I took off. 190 while driving and went up to 200 at a long red light. I still dont have a fan shroud, but there is a spacer and the fan sits about 1.5-2" off the radiator and pulls good air.

 

My 302 likes to stay around 180 or so, but I have an aluminum radiator and 14" electric fan.