92 temp issue
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
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From: Tulsa
92 temp issue
Have a 92 150 w/ 302, in the Winter heater never fully heats up and temp gauge is maybe to N or Normal. In Summer over 75degrees running a/c it overheats.
have flushed system and I think have 180 thermostat.
Don’t want to just change parts, without a plan.
ALL suggestions welcome
have flushed system and I think have 180 thermostat.
Don’t want to just change parts, without a plan.
ALL suggestions welcome
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,805
Likes: 480
From: Cape Girardeau MO
IIRC, the stock thermostat temp was 195 degF.
Heat - suggest pulling the heater hoses and push garden hose water through the core to check for any restrictions. Reaching a bit, had an event where I replaced a leaking heater core with a cheapie that just didn't put out the heat. Closer inspection of the core suggested that part of the cheapness was due to about 1/3 of the core was non-functional. Also suggest inspecting the blend door damper that it's fully seating and sealing when at full Warm on the dash dial, doesn't take much outside cold air leak-by this blend door to knock the vent temps in the cab down.
Cool - assuming the stock fan, suggest looking at the fan clutch. I forget the exact test, but something like you shouldn't be able to free-spin the fan more than 1/2-3/4 turn with engine off and cold. Also check for any fan wobble that might indicate bushing / bearing wear with the clutch. Suggest inspecting the air flow path through the condenser and radiator for excessive crud or bug buildups on or in the finned areas of each. I trust the fan shroud is in place - critical to draw good air flow. A restricted radiator core is a possibility, suggest checking through these other easier and lower cost possibilities first.
Lastly, throwing out the water pump as something highly unusual but not unheard of, where the impeller has either worn down or slipping, again suggesting checking through the other stuff before the time, efforts and money expended here.
Heat - suggest pulling the heater hoses and push garden hose water through the core to check for any restrictions. Reaching a bit, had an event where I replaced a leaking heater core with a cheapie that just didn't put out the heat. Closer inspection of the core suggested that part of the cheapness was due to about 1/3 of the core was non-functional. Also suggest inspecting the blend door damper that it's fully seating and sealing when at full Warm on the dash dial, doesn't take much outside cold air leak-by this blend door to knock the vent temps in the cab down.
Cool - assuming the stock fan, suggest looking at the fan clutch. I forget the exact test, but something like you shouldn't be able to free-spin the fan more than 1/2-3/4 turn with engine off and cold. Also check for any fan wobble that might indicate bushing / bearing wear with the clutch. Suggest inspecting the air flow path through the condenser and radiator for excessive crud or bug buildups on or in the finned areas of each. I trust the fan shroud is in place - critical to draw good air flow. A restricted radiator core is a possibility, suggest checking through these other easier and lower cost possibilities first.
Lastly, throwing out the water pump as something highly unusual but not unheard of, where the impeller has either worn down or slipping, again suggesting checking through the other stuff before the time, efforts and money expended here.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa
IIRC, the stock thermostat temp was 195 degF.
Heat - suggest pulling the heater hoses and push garden hose water through the core to check for any restrictions. Reaching a bit, had an event where I replaced a leaking heater core with a cheapie that just didn't put out the heat. Closer inspection of the core suggested that part of the cheapness was due to about 1/3 of the core was non-functional. Also suggest inspecting the blend door damper that it's fully seating and sealing when at full Warm on the dash dial, doesn't take much outside cold air leak-by this blend door to knock the vent temps in the cab down.
Cool - assuming the stock fan, suggest looking at the fan clutch. I forget the exact test, but something like you shouldn't be able to free-spin the fan more than 1/2-3/4 turn with engine off and cold. Also check for any fan wobble that might indicate bushing / bearing wear with the clutch. Suggest inspecting the air flow path through the condenser and radiator for excessive crud or bug buildups on or in the finned areas of each. I trust the fan shroud is in place - critical to draw good air flow. A restricted radiator core is a possibility, suggest checking through these other easier and lower cost possibilities first.
Lastly, throwing out the water pump as something highly unusual but not unheard of, where the impeller has either worn down or slipping, again suggesting checking through the other stuff before the time, efforts and money expended here.
Heat - suggest pulling the heater hoses and push garden hose water through the core to check for any restrictions. Reaching a bit, had an event where I replaced a leaking heater core with a cheapie that just didn't put out the heat. Closer inspection of the core suggested that part of the cheapness was due to about 1/3 of the core was non-functional. Also suggest inspecting the blend door damper that it's fully seating and sealing when at full Warm on the dash dial, doesn't take much outside cold air leak-by this blend door to knock the vent temps in the cab down.
Cool - assuming the stock fan, suggest looking at the fan clutch. I forget the exact test, but something like you shouldn't be able to free-spin the fan more than 1/2-3/4 turn with engine off and cold. Also check for any fan wobble that might indicate bushing / bearing wear with the clutch. Suggest inspecting the air flow path through the condenser and radiator for excessive crud or bug buildups on or in the finned areas of each. I trust the fan shroud is in place - critical to draw good air flow. A restricted radiator core is a possibility, suggest checking through these other easier and lower cost possibilities first.
Lastly, throwing out the water pump as something highly unusual but not unheard of, where the impeller has either worn down or slipping, again suggesting checking through the other stuff before the time, efforts and money expended here.
new heater core installed, clutch checked good
I’m leaning toward water pump weak myself as I think its original
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 766
From: Parts Unknown
It depends on the driving condition you are doing when it overheats.If the engine overheats in stop and go driving, look for an airflow problem such as clogged fins on the condenser or radiator or the fan clutch. If the engine overheats during highway driving, look for a waterflow issue. Most likely restricted water tubes (calcium) buildup in the radiator.A cheap thermostat should be replaced with the properly rated OEM thermostat.
Last edited by raski; May 18, 2025 at 04:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa
The getting heat in cold months bothers me less, my 90 is slow to heat up as well. But it does get there, this 92 never seems to in Winter.
The overheating is the main concern, it’s definitely getting hot. The truck has over 300k miles and was my father’s truck he had for about 20 yrs. I have flushed the radiator but I know that doesn’t mean there isn’t still an issue.
In my head it is a flow issue causing both conditions. Just trying to decide if I spend less money and more hours on a water pump or more money and less hours replacing the radiator. Think my path may be best replace hoses, thermostat, and radiator now and see what happens. At least I know it doesn’t hurt to replace those items and may help most.
The overheating is the main concern, it’s definitely getting hot. The truck has over 300k miles and was my father’s truck he had for about 20 yrs. I have flushed the radiator but I know that doesn’t mean there isn’t still an issue.
In my head it is a flow issue causing both conditions. Just trying to decide if I spend less money and more hours on a water pump or more money and less hours replacing the radiator. Think my path may be best replace hoses, thermostat, and radiator now and see what happens. At least I know it doesn’t hurt to replace those items and may help most.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 766
From: Parts Unknown
The getting heat in cold months bothers me less, my 90 is slow to heat up as well. But it does get there, this 92 never seems to in Winter.
The overheating is the main concern, it’s definitely getting hot. The truck has over 300k miles and was my father’s truck he had for about 20 yrs. I have flushed the radiator but I know that doesn’t mean there isn’t still an issue.
In my head it is a flow issue causing both conditions. Just trying to decide if I spend less money and more hours on a water pump or more money and less hours replacing the radiator. Think my path may be best replace hoses, thermostat, and radiator now and see what happens. At least I know it doesn’t hurt to replace those items and may help most.
The overheating is the main concern, it’s definitely getting hot. The truck has over 300k miles and was my father’s truck he had for about 20 yrs. I have flushed the radiator but I know that doesn’t mean there isn’t still an issue.
In my head it is a flow issue causing both conditions. Just trying to decide if I spend less money and more hours on a water pump or more money and less hours replacing the radiator. Think my path may be best replace hoses, thermostat, and radiator now and see what happens. At least I know it doesn’t hurt to replace those items and may help most.