Over heating problems

Fordfan90

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alright guys I have a 1990 f250 7.3 idi N/A with a 5speed manual. So I hauled up my 17ft fleetwood camper today for camping this weekend. The truck was trying to over heat doing 55 couldn't even touch 65. I had to pull and let her cool off. Then as I was driving you would hear the fan clutch right as I was about to shift but then never heard it again. It tried to over heat pulling a grade and I could only do 15mph and would still have to pull over. If I went any faster it would over heat. I've replaced the t stat with a motorcraft one and the top and bottom radiator hoses and the radiator.
 

shawn deere

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How how hot is 'over heat'?
When you shut off the engine does the fan free wheel for a bit? Or stop pretty quick?

Is your shroud good shape?

Is your radiator clean?
 

Fordfan90

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How how hot is 'over heat'?
When you shut off the engine does the fan free wheel for a bit? Or stop pretty quick?

Is your shroud good shape?

Is your radiator clean?

220 on the aftermarket gauge on the end of m on normal on my stock gauge and shrouds good idk about the fan clutch. And radiator is clean and it's from autozone.
 

shawn deere

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220 on the aftermarket gauge on the end of m on normal on my stock gauge and shrouds good idk about the fan clutch. And radiator is clean and it's from autozone.
Yikes, i need a real gauge... ive ran mine up to 'L' without a thought.

Thats pry 240?

That too much anyone?
 
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Pretty sure I've read that the clutch doesn't engage until warmer than that by design. Mine usually doesn't lock up until approaching 230 most of the time, unless i have the AC on (then it's anybody's guess).

Mike
 

MtnHaul

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When you say "pulling a grade" do you mean very steep or just an extended uphill climb? Everyday my way home involves a 1 mile 10% grade and unloaded at 45-50mph I hit 205-215 but that is basically racing up it for my ol' N/A. Loaded with about 2k-3k in the bed I max out at 35-40 mph, 3rd gear, and 215-220 depending on how hot the day is. I also have a newer 2 row rad from NAPA--think it's a Spectra. If I had it to do over I would probably get a 3 or 4 row. I'm pretty sure towcat has run a lot of the 2 row aluminum rads and never had a problem with them though.
 

Fordfan90

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When you say "pulling a grade" do you mean very steep or just an extended uphill climb? Everyday my way home involves a 1 mile 10% grade and unloaded at 45-50mph I hit 205-215 but that is basically racing up it for my ol' N/A. Loaded with about 2k-3k in the bed I max out at 35-40 mph, 3rd gear, and 215-220 depending on how hot the day is. I also have a newer 2 row rad from NAPA--think it's a Spectra. If I had it to do over I would probably get a 3 or 4 row. I'm pretty sure towcat has run a lot of the 2 row aluminum rads and never had a problem with them though.

It's a extended grade with some steep parts. But it was trying to overheat even on the flat grounds.
 

icanfixall

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my guess is either the bottom radiator hose is collapsing restricting flow or the fan clutch is shot. Can you see any oily dirt collecting on the front and back of the center of the clutch? If so please replace it cause its worn out.
 

Fordfan90

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my guess is either the bottom radiator hose is collapsing restricting flow or the fan clutch is shot. Can you see any oily dirt collecting on the front and back of the center of the clutch? If so please replace it cause its worn out.[/QUOTE

do you have any recommendations on where to get the fan clutch? There looks to be a little dirt on the front barley if any.
 

OLDBULL8

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If your fan clutch is kicking in at 220*-230*F, that is a normal temp for it to do that.
Anything above 240*F is overheating.
Shift her down into 3rd and crank it out.

When you replaced the Rad hoses, did you take the spring out of the bottom hose and put it in the new hose? A must do.
 

Fordfan90

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If your fan clutch is kicking in at 220*-230*F, that is a normal temp for it to do that.
Anything above 240*F is overheating.
Shift her down into 3rd and crank it out.

When you replaced the Rad hoses, did you take the spring out of the bottom hose and put it in the new hose? A must do.

When I got the new hose it had the spring inside it already.
 

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