I got it so HOT , it runs better than ever

mexicanjoe

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Driving back from work 52 miles away; I'd forgotten about the cardboard in the grille I found my temp gauge pegged after 10 miles. Pulled over , opened the hood and let that 45 mph wind cool off the engine. Later, roustabouts drive by and offered to refill my radiator... I get home flush the radiator and change the thermostat,. Well boys and girls this engine does not "surge " anymore. Matter of fact it runs like a champ! Answers, anybody?????
 

Thewespaul

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My guess is it’s a combo of two things, these trucks need a lot of heat to burn off carbon deposit if they aren’t run hard often. I’m sure this contributed to the increase in performance, but as for the surging going away I’d say you got some crap in the pump that finally passed through when the tolerances opened up more than they normally have been.
 

mu2bdriver

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When I put a makeshift cardboard grille block on one of the coldest winter days a few years ago, I got the temperature up to the ‘A’ and it ran awesome. Normally, I wouldn’t get it above ‘N’ in daily use. I’ve always been amazed how much heat these engines happily absorb.
 

compressionignitionrules

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Driving back from work 52 miles away; I'd forgotten about the cardboard in the grille I found my temp gauge pegged after 10 miles. Pulled over , opened the hood and let that 45 mph wind cool off the engine. Later, roustabouts drive by and offered to refill my radiator... I get home flush the radiator and change the thermostat,. Well boys and girls this engine does not "surge " anymore. Matter of fact it runs like a champ! Answers, anybody?????

this would be a real good time to change your oil!:Thumbs Up there will be extra carbon in there.
 

Clb

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The best thing ya can do for driveability is load it up heavy and run it hard up some long grades.
Git er hot and sweaty.

Using the rad block is an old school solution, wish we could get shutter,stats like the class 8 rigs.
This is what the o.p. Has accomplished but unfortunately without an act temp gauge...
 
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Macrobb

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Yeah, running things hot does seem to improve performance for a while.
I let my friend take my '92 8 hours away to pick up an IDI Van for a coworker. He comes back having ran it foot-to-the-floor any number of times, and went up one 5+ percent grade in 3rd gear going 50MPH, tach pegged and water temps creeping up...
(Yes, he knew enough to watch for that and smoke; our EGT gauge didn't work either...)

When it came back, it ran quite nicely for a few months after that. Much better than it originally did.
 

MtnHaul

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I was hopin' somebody would mention the "Italian tune up". Definitely heard this from some of the old Mercedes diesel guys.
 

The_Josh_Bear

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I was hopin' somebody would mention the "Italian tune up". Definitely heard this from some of the old Mercedes diesel guys.
Haha I learned that from a VW Cabriolet forum, I always liked the idea. Of course with my pickup and 4.10 gears I get an Italian tune up every day I drive on the 70mph freeway by my house! 80mph is about 3k rpms I think.
 

Thewespaul

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Haha I learned that from a VW Cabriolet forum, I always liked the idea. Of course with my pickup and 4.10 gears I get an Italian tune up every day I drive on the 70mph freeway by my house! 80mph is about 3k rpms I think.
What tire size are you running? I can do 80 in fourth in the shop truck
 

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