Big Problems in Florida

[Von Hayek]

Hey Guys,

I've been having overheating problems in Florida, the details of which you can see here https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/435365-real-time-help-road-trip-florida.html

I'm going to replace the thermostat this morning, and if that doesn't work I'm going to replace the radiator on Friday.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

It has been recommended to me that I get an OEM radiator, but there is $400 difference in price . That's a real bite in the wallet for something that may not even fix my problem, so your thoughts on OEM vs. one from RadiatorBarn.com will be appreciated as well.

 

[John Smith]

If you are sure the new fan clutch is nice and tight when hot I also would look to the radiator as the problem. For a $400 difference I would go with aftermarket. I would also buy a new thermostat and test it before install since you are already going to drain the system to put in the new rad. If you can source the radiator locally from a parts house for near the same price as a radiator barn one I would definitely go with local. If you ship in a rad and it comes damaged you are going to be screwed.

 

[76FJ40]

Add a bottle or 2 of "water wetter" from Redline or a similar product to increase the heat transfer. It's not a long term solution but it may buy you time while you wait on radiator Barn.

 

[Von Hayek]

I never know how nice and tight a fan clutch should be. It definitely spins, but only tow blades or so. Good idea Bob. If the new thermostat or radiator doesn't do the trick, that might be my last resort.

 

[Blue77FJ40]

I never know how nice and tight a fan clutch should be. It definitely spins, but only tow blades or so. Good idea Bob. If the new thermostat or radiator doesn't do the trick, that might be my last resort.

To get a feel for the difference of how the fan clutch hooks up:

Spin the fan when the engine is cold. It should spin reasonable freely.

Then after a trip somewhere in the 80, shut down the motor, the pop the hood, and spin the fan again. There should be a noticeable difference in spin resistance, compared to when cold. It's not a hard lockup, but rather greater resistance to freely spinning. Fan should stop spinning rather quickly. Good luck.

 

[76FJ40]

You can always use string to tie the fan blade to rhe hub to keep it from spinning. Just be sure it's tied tight and doesn't interfere.

 

[TRFCSUX]

update ?

Hey Bart just found your post, buy the less exspensive rad and hurry up and fix that thing you are messing up your vacation

 

[Thornton]

Sounds like everyone has pointed you in the right direction. Jamie had a 62 and she had an overheating problem. It turned out that the radiator was almost 50% clogged. Went with an aftermarket. Good Luck

 

[smtyblt]

Aftermarket will not be a problem in your 80. We have put in both and have a very good results out of the aftermarket ones. as for Radiator barn not sure but 1800radiator is a very good fit.

Did this just all of a sudden start happening? and if so check your oil and the bottom of your oil fill cap.

If milky at all start leaning on doing a head gasket

Cam

 

[smtyblt]

If it is the fan clutch. a good redneck fix to get you home is piece of 1" rubber hose wrapped between the fan and the hub with a hose clamp, pinching the hose and basically making your fan clutch a solid fan. Works real good to get you out of a pinch and back home maybe

Cam

 

[Von Hayek]

The Update:

Drained the cooling system to change the thermostat and found that the radiator was totally gunked with stop leak. You couldn't see a hint of aluminum with a flashlight, just one long bed of black gunk.

I started tearing apart the front of the truck about noon yesterday, and holy cow what a fun job. I had to tear the headlights out to get the radiator's top bolts. Party in Florida, I tell ya'. By dark, I had the radiator in and everything back together except the inlet hose, the grille, and filling the system. I'm going to get back on it about 9:30 this morning.

Thanks for the help gents. I'll let you know how the test drive goes.

 

[Thornton]

Glad to hear things seem to be working out. Have a safe trip back

 

[Von Hayek]

Just buttoned it up and took it for a spin. Perfectomundo. I'm back in business and should have a trailer in tow this Sunday heading back north. Thanks for the help guys. Probably see you Wednesday night.

 

[bkfj40]

If it is the fan clutch. a good redneck fix to get you home is piece of 1" rubber hose wrapped between the fan and the hub with a hose clamp, pinching the hose and basically making your fan clutch a solid fan. Works real good to get you out of a pinch and back home maybe

Cam

that is a hell of a good idea....I've also taken the fan clutch apart before and filled it with blue silicone. It freezes it in place...so it really isn't a clutch anymore.


Glad to hear that you are running cooler now...

 

[IPOR]

Just buttoned it up and took it for a spin. Perfectomundo. I'm back in business and should have a trailer in tow this Sunday heading back north. Thanks for the help guys. Probably see you Wednesday night.

Good news. Did you just flush the radiator or buy a new one? Like Cam says, clogged radiators are pretty common in 80's we see here at the shop.

 

[Von Hayek]

I bought a new one. I was in a jam had to get the problem resolved fairly quickly. It was pretty gunked up with some type of leak stop and I don't know if it was reparable. You couldn't even see the tubes through the filler neck. Pretty nasty.

My only dilemma was whether to get an OEM radiator which several people have told me is far superior to aftermarket. But at more than $300 more expensive than the aftermarket, I couldn't bring myself to drop the duckets on it. That said, we just finished the 1,000+-mile return trip, with a lot of backups and stop-and-go, with no issues.

 

[bkfj40]

glad to hear you made it home safe...

If you put a 6" lift on the 80 series and 35" tires, it will help with airflow and it won't overheat as easily (atleast maybe that is the pitch you can give the wife)

 

[Von Hayek]

I think she has a hard enough time getting the girl into the child seat now