Warbonet

*UPDATE*
After a few days with the new sender the temp reads lower than ever. Still a bit high at idle. But obviously the gauge is a bit off. Thanks to all for your help.

Warbonet

So after changing the sensor and pump everything went well. Cooler than I ever expected. Now randomly it's running super hot again. Pegging at times. I flushed it and nothing. So I ordered a motor raft tstat and coolant. I was going to change it tonight. But on the way home from the parts store it stopped. After a week of running hot BOOM it's gone. I'm sure it will be back in the morning but I just don't understand. What the hell!

Warbonet

One thing I forgot, I took it out 3 separate times after that, different conditions. And still nothing.

GhostriderI

What do you mean "BOOM it's gone", did you blow the engine or did it just overheated and stop? Have you kept the coolant topped off and the engine oil at the correct level? If it is truly running that hot an oil change is also called for (might have slugged some of it at the high temp plus you can check it for water in the oil.)

Warbonet

I changed the oil 2 weeks before. And flushed it the day it started. Nothing in either. And by boom I mean I'm the morning it's almost redlining. And when I go home in the eve it's about normal. I was going to do it tonight and then again it's cool all the way home. It's been in the 70's during this. Seems the hotter it is the cooler it runs

GhostriderI

It is possible you got a faulty thermostat and it is sticking. and I double checked it should be a 190 degree thermostat not 180

Warbonet

Yeah,I really hope that's it. I'm changing it now. Keep you posted. Thanks for all you help ghost

Johnboy429bbf

I had this problem with my 79. Ended up being crudd coming out of my Heater core. I bet I flushed that thing 15 times. Finally I pulled the Heater core and replaced it. Just enough crap would break loose stop the thermostat from opening and closing right. Then would settle in the bottom rad

Warbonet

What color was the crud? And do I need to pull the dash on an 85 to do that? My dash is perfect and windshield 2 months old. I would hate to pull it

Warbonet

I get tan stuff in my overflow. It's not the head. I always figured it was from some sort of stop leak by a previous owner. But after a new cooling system and several flushes it seems like what happend to your 79 is more likely. Also I had a guy tell me once to use oven cleaner to clean out the heater core???