Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

My 51 ford has run at a normal temp for the first 500-600 km. Today the needle is pinned after just a few minutes of driving. Please help, I need advice.

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

The only thing I can think of is that I put the battery in backwards accidentally for about a minute yesterday. (brain fart) Could this have messed up the gauge?

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

Possibly a stuck closed thermostat?? ken ct.

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

I guess it might?? ken ct.

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

The needle come down at times for a few seconds and then rises back up fast or slow does not seem to matter.

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

also could be low coolant level, is it up to cover the core , also their is two senders you could dissconect one at a time to see which side is the problem ,connecting the batt. backwards could damage the gauge , how do the oil and fuel gauge read

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

Stock gauge? Do you have a http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=CAw4dHR...A&pid=Commerce laser temp gun? Aftermarket gauge ? Install on one side and see what happens.
Ken CT's idea of a stuck thermostat is an easy item to check .

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

Thanks guys. I am going to check the thermostats and try disconnecting one censer at a time to see if I can get to the bottom of this.

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

Maybe I should buy a pair of mechanical temp gauges?

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

what does the gauge say when the key is on in the morning before the engine has been run?
Basically the same question as above

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

Reads cool.

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

Mechanical temp gauges would be nice if you don't mind the way they look. Remember with the two stock sensors, the one with two terminals is just a switch that opens when the engine has overheated. The single terminal sensor is the one that operates the gauge. If the double terminaled one opens, the gauge goes to "Hot" because all power id cut off from the circuit.

I'd check the thermostats and coolant level first. Easy and cheap. Good luck!!

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

I did not realize that. Thanks.

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

I was just reminiscing about the small pinhole leak that I had in my rad last year. I added some bars leak type crap that stopped the leak. Maybe it has turned my rad in to a low flow model?

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

That crap stopped up my 36 rad real good.I would never use it again. ken ct omo

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

never use barrs leak it plugged up my original rad completely wish i had taken it to a repair shop to begin with...

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

Eric - My temp gauge went out last year. I got two mechanical gauges (One for each head) from NAPA. Easy to install and work great. Two problems - light is 12 volt and if you want to mount under the dash you have to drill a pretty good size hole throught the firewall.

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

Common sense would say to check the temperature with a thermometer.

Re: Help, 8ba suddenly running hot.
 

I agree that you need to measure the real engine temp, but if the car is as hot as the needle says, you'll definitely feel it when you open the hood. There's a big difference between 180 degrees and 220. The engine will be saying "don't touch me or you'll get burned for sure".