Normal Temp for a 302

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Bob Fourney - 17 Nov 2004 20:09 GMT

In an 89 F150, after about 8 miles of driving the temp gauge gets to
the very bottom of the normal range, but it never goes any higher. It
seems like it takes alot longer to warm up than other 8 cylinder
engines (and other 6-cylinder trucks).

Does this sound normal? It does (barely) get into the normal range.
My other Fords climb to the middle of the range pretty quick, and the
wife's 6-cylinder Isuzu is pushing out heat before a mile goes by.

The gauge reading was the same this summer, even towing a mini-van
through the mountains. Also, it's crew cab (or whatever), so it may
just be that the heat isn't heating up the cab as quickly as I was
used to, but the gauge reading seems low.

Thanks,

Bob

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Derrick Hudson - 17 Nov 2004 21:30 GMT

> In an 89 F150, after about 8 miles of driving the temp gauge gets to
> the very bottom of the normal range, but it never goes any higher. It
> seems like it takes alot longer to warm up than other 8 cylinder
> engines (and other 6-cylinder trucks).
>
> Does this sound normal? It does (barely) get into the normal range.

It sounds normal to me. My 1993 300 does the same thing. Last winter
my 1990 BroncoII (2.9L V6) was identical as well. However, on the BII
once the needle lifted off the stop the heater blew nice warm air into
the cabin. I've never driven the F-150 in the winter to compare it
well. I attribute it to the calibration of the display. You'd need a
real thermometer to tell if the temperate was really normal or not.

My dad used to have an '83 van with a 351. It never seemed to heat up
in the winter (certainly not before he dropped me off at school) due
to the large block and the larger cabin space in the van.

-D

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BattleGodz - 17 Nov 2004 21:51 GMT

sounds like your thermostat is stuck open. an easy fix for the colder
weather is cut a piece of cardboard and install in front of radiator.
make sure you make a hole big enough to have some air moving thru the
radiator. youll notice a significant rise in heater air temp and a
slight rise in your temp gauge. hope this helps!

> In an 89 F150, after about 8 miles of driving the temp gauge gets to
> the very bottom of the normal range, but it never goes any higher. It
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Bob

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Mellowed - 18 Nov 2004 00:45 GMT

It's pretty easy to replace the thermostat. Suggest replacement. The
engine should be at the proper temperature.

> In an 89 F150, after about 8 miles of driving the temp gauge gets to
> the very bottom of the normal range, but it never goes any higher. It
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Bob

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Bob Fourney - 19 Nov 2004 00:20 GMT

> It's pretty easy to replace the thermostat. Suggest replacement. The
> engine should be at the proper temperature.

I know how to replace the T-stat (and agree that it's easy), I just
wonder if this is normal for this truck. I bought it in August, when
it was warm, and wonder where the gauge should ride. It does put out
heat. Also, the gas MPG is about 12.5, and I was expecting (hoping)
for 16 or so. The engine running too cold could account for some of
that (no, the brakes aren't dragging).

Thanks,

Bob

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Bob Fourney - 28 Nov 2004 03:43 GMT

FYI,

I replaced the thermostat, and the gauge reads the same. I guess it's
normal. I put in a 195 thermosate. The one that came out was probably
original, it had a 2-88 (89 Truck) and either a 192 or 196 on it.

Bob

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