MarkT

Hi,
Hoping someone here will know the answer to this. My 1989 E-350 351 v8 seems to read quite hot on the temp guage, perhaps just over 3/4 of the way to the H on average. The difference between the lowest and highest average reading on the guage is minimal. Could the guage be calibrated incorrectly? should I check the coolant temp when hot and if so what temp is too hot.

Just got this vehicle so I don't know much history on it.

Thanks in advance, MarkT

89F150

I'd take it to a mechanic to make sure its not overheating. I cant tell you what temperature the coolant would be but the stock thermostat if it is still stock is 190 degrees. (I dont know if thats helpful.) If it is overheating then you should worry but other than that i wouldn't worry to much

big1

As we all know Ford's guage's are unreliable at best. If you just purchased the truck it whouldn't hurt to just go ahead and replace the thermostate, flush the coolant system, and replace the coolant with fresh 50-50 antifreeze mix. But prior to this it would probably be on the safe side to install a mechanical gauge to see for certain just what temp you are running.

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HandyGuy

Use the Synthetic oils, like Castrol Syntec, or Mobil....you'll notice it keeps the engine coller better...ie, lower temps..

I learned this after making out of state trips, during the summer months, fer a number of yrs :)

I like using 20 50 in the summer and 10 30 for the winter months.

drof

If you want to check your engine temperature but dont want to use the guage you can take a reading from the ect(electronic temp sensor) a engine running at normal operation temperature when hot should read about 0.7v-0.8v, any lower a value means its probley running to hot.