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Temperature Gauge


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My engine temperature needle hardly gets into the "normal" field of the gauge. It moves slightly to the right when the engine should be warm after a few miles but only makes it to the left marker of the normal area. Should this concern me and I might need to check the thermostat or is this normal for a bullnose? Thanks for your thoughts. Regards Jochen
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I agree with Dave - it is hard to tell. Several things to test/do:

  • First, do the fuel gauge and oil pressure gauges appear to be working correctly? I ask because all three of those gauges and driven by the Instrument Cluster Voltage Regulator, and they are prone to problems.

  • You can test your temp gauge by using the process explained on the Testing tab here: Electrical/Gauges. The location and color of the wire to pull is shown on pages 95 and 99, respectively, here: Electrical/EVTM/1986 EVTM/Fuel Tank Selector And Gauges.

  • If you have a non-contact/infra-red thermometer you can check the temp of the thermostat housing and the upper radiator hose. Ford called for 195 degree F thermostats in these truck, but some install a cooler 'stat thinking it'll be better for the engine. However, that just means that the engine doesn't get warm and boil off the moisture that gathers in the oil, and that's bad for the engine.
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I agree with Dave - it is hard to tell. Several things to test/do:

  • First, do the fuel gauge and oil pressure gauges appear to be working correctly? I ask because all three of those gauges and driven by the Instrument Cluster Voltage Regulator, and they are prone to problems.

  • You can test your temp gauge by using the process explained on the Testing tab here: Electrical/Gauges. The location and color of the wire to pull is shown on pages 95 and 99, respectively, here: Electrical/EVTM/1986 EVTM/Fuel Tank Selector And Gauges.

  • If you have a non-contact/infra-red thermometer you can check the temp of the thermostat housing and the upper radiator hose. Ford called for 195 degree F thermostats in these truck, but some install a cooler 'stat thinking it'll be better for the engine. However, that just means that the engine doesn't get warm and boil off the moisture that gathers in the oil, and that's bad for the engine.

Thanks for this Dave and Gary. This actually answers my first question that it is not normal. That is a start and I will do some testing on the weekend when back home from Prague. Thanks for your thoughts. Jochen

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for this Dave and Gary. This actually answers my first question that it is not normal. That is a start and I will do some testing on the weekend when back home from Prague. Thanks for your thoughts. Jochen

Finally solved it. I have changed the sending unit and now the needle goes to the O of NORMAL when warm.

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Glad you got it fixed! (Sorry for the late response - I missed this.)

So, what's the next issue you are working on?

Thx Gary. Nothing really planed unless anything breaks down. The only remaining issue is the air condition which does´t cool down. I suspect that customs emptied the coolant before shipping. Will consult somebody competent next week to find out and get it fixed.

Currently I actually have the luxury problem of choice between cruising my new toy into the sundown or, since summer started, hop on the lovely BMW to scratch the bends and curves. You see nothing to worry about at my end :nabble_anim_jump:. Will though keep you guys posted.

We will me moving house in August / September and then I expect the bullnose to return some investment

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Thx Gary. Nothing really planed unless anything breaks down. The only remaining issue is the air condition which does´t cool down. I suspect that customs emptied the coolant before shipping. Will consult somebody competent next week to find out and get it fixed.

Currently I actually have the luxury problem of choice between cruising my new toy into the sundown or, since summer started, hop on the lovely BMW to scratch the bends and curves. You see nothing to worry about at my end :nabble_anim_jump:. Will though keep you guys posted.

We will me moving house in August / September and then I expect the bullnose to return some investment

Excellent! Nothing to be done but cruise, and a choice of cruisers. :nabble_smiley_good:

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