Engine Overheating

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: Ksnarf  (Original Message)
Sent: 11/21/2003 2:04 PM

I have a 1983 Suncruiser (440 Engine?) while driving it last night, the temp started to rise while i was on the freeway, I added some water kept going. When i go on the freeway it can usually get about 4-6 miles before it really gets hot. I can only go about 1/2 on surface streets before it over-heats. Please help. 

Thanks;
Kris



From: denison
Sent: 11/21/2003 2:47 PM

preliminary thought: If it takes longer to overheat on the freeway than it does on surface streets, maybe your fan clutch is senile. Above 40 mph the onrush air would provide the cooling, regardless of the fan; but at slower speeds, and in stop and go-ing, the fan has to be driven properly. if you spin the fan as well as you can from above it inside, a good fan clutch will stop in it one blade or less -engine hot or cold. If it gets hotter than it should as you drive on the freeway, how long has it been since you took the radiator out and cleaned it or had it cleaned. If you don't Really Know when it was out, then my advice is to do it. Also replace all the belts and top and bottom hoses, the heater hoses, the thermostat, and think about maybe the water pump, the throttle cable, and all the other things that will be very easy to reach while the radiator is out. And check that your wiring wont droop onto the exhaust manifolds. I do this stuff myself, cant afford not to. denison 



From: Ksnarf
Sent: 11/21/2003 3:22 PM

Thanks for both of the replies. Last night when i was on the side of the road the same thought came through my head "why didn't i bring more tools?" right now it's sitting in a auto service gas station getting the radiator flush and fill and the oil changed. I will probably have them replace the thermo and do a pressure test on the radiator. Im hoping all this will be enough to get me back to the garage where i can really take it apart.

kris



From: Sea Hag
Sent: 11/21/2003 6:33 PM

If you have them replace your thermostat make sure the install the correct  style . there is a sticker still attached to my air cleaner with drawing and part # on my 76 . my other rig a 76  440 also  had the wrong type installed by PO and we of course replaced it with the same and it did list as one for a 440 cid however the engine still ran very warm about 240 or so . We have since installed the proper style and now it runs under 195 . there is somthing different in the water ports of the proper style for MH application . My parts manual only goes to 75 and info conflicts with my chassis manual . My rig is not stored where I can get the # for you at this time .---- Sea Hag



From: Sea Hag
Sent: 11/21/2003 6:53 PM

I just checked a note page that I put my model and vin  I also wrote down the themostat #  form the air cleaner sticker 185 degree  part # 3837 609  the third digit was hard to read off the remaining  sticker  if this # doesn't cross right   try 3887 609 this is for 1976 and might be the same as yours  the style is the type that you cannot see the spring of the thermostat , it's enclosed on the motor side. good luck getting it back home -- Sea Hag 



From: Ksnarf
Sent: 11/21/2003 7:51 PM

Thanks for the replies. After my third try of filling the tank and watching the temp rise, i pulled off the freeway and found a auto service place with a rv already parked there, I parked mine there and left the keys with a note in the drop box. Seems like i really lucked out, they were really friendly and didn't mind me leaving it there. They quoted me a fair price for the work, I will forward this information and part number's to them.. Just to be safe. Thanks for the information again

Kris