Well, I've been trying to figure out my cooling problem with my truck for about 2 weeks now..I'm going to be changing the fan clutch this weekend and if that doesn't solve it then I'll have my timing check and if that doesn't work then I'm going after the head gasket...just making sure I'm going after the right thing...the "head gasket" is short for cylinder head gasket correct? Which is the gasket between the valve cover and the cylinder heads..correct?
I feel like an idiot asking that...but oh well.

 

You're wrong. Valiant effort, but wrong. The valve cover gasket goes between the valve cover and the cylinder head. The head gasket goes between the cylinder head and the engine block.

Go ahead and replace the fan clutch and set your timing, but chill out on the head gasket. If it was bad, you would know. Odds are your radiator is starting to get clogged with deposits. You can buy dozens of different items to fix your cooling system, each with varied results, but until you replace the radiator, the real problem will always return.

Take care,
-Chris

 

I'm prety sure now it's my timing...I was getting all freaked out because it's only going to get hotter outside so my truck will to so I'm in the rush to beat the heat. After I typed the first post i went to the gas station and put in a 1/4 tank 89 octane (I usualy run 87) and then drove my truck up some hills that the temp gauge usualy rises on and they did rise but very little...not as much as they would have with 87 so I know it's the timing...I already picked up the fan clutch..it was only $35 at autozone and my truck is at 104000 so I figure I'll just keep it around because the fan clutch will be going soon anyways...my timing light doesn't work anymore so I have to get it done down the street for $25.
Thanks anyways.

 

Drive it to the races in a week and a half, and I'll set it for you. Just be there by 3:30

Take care,
-Chris

 

I'll just get it done probly Friday..I've gotta drive it to work and stuff and mentaly I can't take it anymore..my eye's are on the temp gauge more then the road..I would wait for the free timing by you but my buddy who's coming doesn't get off work till 4:30 (I'm picking him up from work and we are going straight to the races!)...
I went camping at carpenteria last saturday night after my girlfriends graduation and it drove fine the hole way..air conditioner was blasting...it's only when I'm stuck in traffic on the 5 at around 4pm and going up some hills...the coolant is still nice and green...I looked in the radiator and I saw some little bits of black rubber it looked like so I'm going to replace the hoses also...I think thats what may have caused some blockage also so I'll flush it this weekend....Hopefuly a new radiator can wait for a few more years, I can't have it rebuilt because of the plastic resivoirs and a new one runs about $170-$200.
Thanks again for the help Chris

 

Cool. I'd do it for you later, but after 4pm, our day is non stop. We get there for the opening of the pit gates at 2pm, spend 2 hours unloading the car, tools, and supplies, getting the car teched, and then setting up the chassis. At 4pm sharp, we fire it off for 10-15 minutes to warm it up. at 4:15 there's the drivers meeting, at which point I shut it down, pull the starter, and install the rear gears. Last week we went with 6.76's, but it will depend on the track condition. Then at 4:30, mud packing starts. Then the heats start around 5:30 - 6:00, and our main event is usually before 9pm. There will be lots of other races, though.

You are getting a pit pass, right?

Take care,
-Chris

 

Of course I'm getting a pit pass...I have to shake the hand of the man who has saved me hundreds of dollars with my truck.

 

Will he be there too???

Take care,
-Chris

 

Sprocket,

For the $25 they are charging you, consider using it to buy a timing light. Then you will always have it in the future to use. Also consider that if you buy a light, you can do it when convinient for you rather than them.

Another option is to simply bump it ever so slightly without a light. I often "blind set" once I am close, and then use the light to verify the setting. Sometimes it is easy to get hung up on trying to hit a certain number, and this will prevent it from happening.

I always want to turn the distributor the wrong way on a Ford, so I make a mark on the base for 10 degrees and then put an A on one side and a R on the other to remind me which way to turn it. I would tell you which to put on which side, but would probably get it backwards unless I go look...

 

For Ford V8's, ...clockwise advances, counterclockwise retards...

Ford IL6 engines are the opposite.

Take care,
-Chris

 

I have a single row aluminum radiator I am pulling from my '89, If you want to bother with it. It should fit just fine. It is in good shape with a few scrapes on the back from removing fan etc. and is about 4 years old. I put a 2 row aluminum in there twice but ruined them both when the engine would torque the fan into it while backing a trailer. The one I have would cool the engine on a 100 degree day while pulling a trailer with the a/c on at a stoplight. I was impressed (btw I ran a 180 thermostat). The only reason I dont need it is because I am swapping to a 351w and the hoses are on the opposite side. 75$ plus shipping (probably $25) let me know if you want to replace it. coreyparker64133@yahoo.com

 

Checking the timing is a good thing in gerneral, but just bite the bullet like I did and get an electric Fan.

This would be real easy for you, if you are switching hoses, just get the radiator, new hoses, and the electric fan kit and make a day out of it ( don't forget to have 2 packs of smokes around <g>).

That would be the nuts:
2 row aluminum rad ( or what ever brand / type is best I have not looked at all ).
Electric Fan
Braided hoses.

I almost wish I was in your spot and could justify pulling the whole thing. It would look real trick when you got done !!!

I am stuck with just putting the electric fan on my boring stock rad and hose set for now.

I am sure for the cost of above you wish it was me and not you <g>

 

I'm prety sure I'll end up replacing the radiator andi was thinking exactly like what you said SSCULLY about just throwing a elec fan kit in there since everything is out. I'm just a little intimidated about how hard the elec fan kit is to install, I'd want to get the kind with dual fans. Any coment on how simple it is anyone?

thanks for the offer spaceman12321
I don't know what I'm doing with my truck just yet but I'll email if I want the radiator.

 

i have a flex-a-lite dual electric fan setup on my truck. it was pretty easy to install because they came with some really good instructions. to tell you the truth though, my fans were about $180 or so and if i had to do it again, i would spend the money elsewhere (unless the fan you have right now needs to be replaced).

 

Did you get a # 210 ?
My 270s were almost $ 400.00 ( fan and handling from Summit ).
The Summit p/n is FLX-270 I think.
These are the dual 15" fans, and only take about 2 hours to put in taking you time.

The big thing was finding a Fan Clutch Pulley holder.
I have had people say that usign a pry bar is just as easy, but I know I got through this without skined knuckles.
It was ~ 25.00 on line for the one that I got, others were available cheaper, but I did not like the looks of them

The other thing is Don said that Pep Boys should have this for a free loaner tool, if it is in stock. I have never tried the loaner tool thing myself to comment on it, I know the Auto Zone and Pep Boys around here did not have it in stock to buy.

The nut is I think 36 mm, I just used a large cresent wrench.