Those of you with a 302?

[JMcTurnan]

Well I have a 302, and it runs hot. Normally 1/2-3/4, my dad said it should run about a 1/4, what does your guys run?

[bsokie]

Not sure on factory gauge what mine runs. Have an aftermarket gauge and it runs about 190. Not sure if that helps or not.

[Lar4t9r]

Well I have a 302, and it runs hot. Normally 1/2-3/4, my dad said it should run about a 1/4, what does your guys run?

I run both factory and aftermarket gauges. Factory 1/4...after market 160.

[fordman]

the ford thermostat should be a 192. but you could go down to a 180 degree thermostat.

[HillbillyDelux]

dont know about quarters but mine hangs out around the m on the factory gauge and ive got aluminum rad and elec. fan

[drytoast]

My temp gauge doesn't even move. Hmmmmm maybe I should get that fixed if some warm weather ever gets here.

[JMcTurnan]

So mine is running hot then, what do you think problem could be, just redid manifold gaskets, only other thing i could think of is head.

[Joshpow]

Mine won't even get into the low normal range. It runs around 175 at the warmest unless I sit in traffic. I never have good heat during the cold months for that reason, but it sure is nice when it's hot outside to not worry about overheating.

[FordTruck]

The 302 in my 70 runs about 160 to 180 usually,but I haven't driven it enough to know what it'll run for shure.

[bsokie]

Might want to check and make sure thermostat is working correctly

[papabug71]

Mine runs between 180-190 all day long. I know a guy here in town that had a 302 in his truck. He rebuilt it, but when he did, he had it bored out to no end. .060+ That thing would run hot in a blizzard.

Has your 302 ever been bored all the way out???

Your first upgrade should be a good set of under dash gauges. That way you can see exactly how hot its running. That 1/2 to 3/4 stuff is for the birds.....

[Lar4t9r]

the ford thermostat should be a 192. but you could go down to a 180 degree thermostat.

I added the after market gauges 'cause I didn't trust the stock gauge. I was a little concerned with the 160 temp thinking it was a little low, but it runs good and never rises much even in stop and go traffic. Ifigure rather than changing the thermostat so it runs hotter, I'll just keep an eye on it and see how it goes.

Now as far as what to do for running hot, I had a SS 396 a few years ago that was doing that...every time I stopped it would puke anti-freeze. I thought it was a bad thermostat, changed it but no improvement. Then a mechanic friend suggested having the radiator cored and that solved my problem. Just a thought.

[JMcTurnan]

Yea I am using the dash one, I could try to pick up another, its never been bored all the way out, and just replaced thermostat.

[thebannister8]

right manifold gaskets...not blocking any passages

...whenever i get a new thermostat...i always boil it to make sure the thing works..

you may also want to run it without the thermostat to see if it will cool down more.....

fan clutch ok ( if you have a fan clutch )

radiator full of gunk

hoses crimped

sending unit correct

[JMcTurnan]

Everything is good, except I dont have original fan, so no clutch.