[VroomKrazy]

The bucket has a Ford 302 and I am running a 1965 mustang 3 core radiator, the thermostat is I think a 180deg one. The cooling system has been back flushed and refilled. When driving around town or on back road keeping the speed under 60 the temp stays between 170 and 190. When I go on the hwy it climbs to 210 to 215 on hot days. This morning on the way to the hwy the temp was 180, got on the hwy and it went to just over 200, when I left the hwy it cooled back down to 180. The temp this morning was 73. Should I worry about this or is it nothing? Not sure what to do?

[putz]

I would try a cooler thermostat seeing it was only 73 this thermostat could be sticking to. I would throw a new one in at lunch if you can. Its supposed to be 94 here today.

[Francis Blake]

Check your bottom rad hose if it's soft replace it. if they are soft they will suck shut at hiway speed.

[Greg R]

Originally Posted by Francis Blake

Check your bottom rad hose if it's soft replace it. if they are soft they will suck shut at hiway speed.

Good advise, I'll have to remember that one.

[VroomKrazy]

the bottom hose is coragated stainless steel and at them moment the top is rubber. After back flushing I have not put the good hose back on the top. I Will have to pick up a thermostat and put the stainless hose back on the top.

Thanks for the info.

[GT63]

Is it possible that at higher speeds it's leaning out just a bit and causing the engine to run hotter?

[Ted Brown]

A molded hose on the top is plenty fine, as it is pressure out anyway, the lower hose needs a wire coil in it if it is a molded hose, to keep it from sucking completely shut at higher speeds, the molded hoses are easier on radiator fittings than coragated hoses.... Just a thought.. take the thermostate completely out to see if that is your problem... after that you may want to run a 160... make sure you have plenty of lead in your timing, but no pinging... Summer is here... Happy crusin

[Screamin' Metal]

The engine was running warn....but not too hot. I'd try another thermostat and give her a whirl.....any hotter than what you where running with a 3 core.......well....its getting toward too warm.

I'm old school and anything over 200....my eyebrows start raising.....etc, etc......todays engines are designed to run hotter and leaner than the old cars of yesteryear.

Alot of the time....you can't get a thermostat below 180 unless you special order it. running between 160 and 180.....your engine performes alot better, parts last longer......and if anyone tells you your gonna mess your rings up......ask for proof of it..........maybe only if you run endless crome molys in all 3 sets.....but with that, you'll wear your bores out in your block too.

Also take Teds advice......Run as cool as you can.....but a little over 200 isn't hot.........

[rooster57]

Metal you give good advice. You have helped me several times in other areas of the forum. I am always interested in your solution to things .Thanks a bunch

[donsrods]

Not sure why, but sbf engines seem to run a little on the warm side compared to a sbc in a similar car. My 27 had a 302 and always ran warm with a custom Brassworks radiator. My Son's T bucket with a 302 runs at 190 with the electric fan running all the time, and he has a Walker Super Z or something like that. On the other hand, my T with the 350 Chevy never gets up over 160, usually 150.

I tried every trick in the book to get my 27 to run cooler and nothing really helped much.

Don