High temp reading

[Gnar1020]

Hi all,

I have 1967 88 series 2a. About a month ago I noted that the truck was reading in the red on the water temp gauage and also it died a couple of times during a drive, but restarted. I replaced the thermostat, thermo sender, rad hoses, and put a new radiator in it (it needed it). Truck started up great and drove great, it did not run hot per the engine compartment and there were no leaks. However, my water temp reading is still high, it is right under the red. What could be the problem? Is there something that I am over looking or need to look at? or is this normal for these trucks to read high on the water temp gauge? Any help would be great.

cheers

[antichrist]

Timing being off can make them run hot. Could also just be your gauge is bad.

[Smokey Mountain Man]

Has the cooling system ever been flushed? Thier could be biuld up in the block.

[Gnar1020]

I have not flushed the block myself. How do you go about doing that? I do have the old distributor in the truck at the moment, but I have a new electronic distributor sitting on a shelf. Would that make a big difference in performance and how hot the vehicle runs? Is it easy to install, what steps are there? Thanks for your help

Cheers

[antichrist]

Unless the OE distributor is toast it wouldn't. Just make sure the timing is correct. I doubt that's the issue, but it is one thing to check.

[nmc1205]

My series 3 shows it's running hot if I turn on the headlights, I also get a higher gas gauge and oil cooler temp. I wonder if it is a voltage regulator issue, that is what I attribute mine.

[imohar]

I had something like that as well. I changed the voltage stabilizer from the dashboard and the voltage regulator of the alternator and it's fine again.
Just run the engine with an open radiator cap for a while and stick a thermometer inside. My 6 cylinder is on the half temp gauge by 67 Celsius and should not get more then 84 Celsius.

[jgkmmoore]

Harbor Freight sells a 'push button' temp sensor for about $12.95. It's infared, and gives instant, very accurate readings. There is also an anfared 'gun' type for around $100 bucks.....same reading. All Land/Range Rover owners should have one.
If you have an electric guage with a sensor, test the sensor. On the RR's, that is often the culprit.

[Smokey Mountain Man]

The engine will get hotter if the lights are going because it has to work harder do to the load that is put on it. I am sure you have noticed on other vehicles that when the air conditioner kicks in the engine sounds different and mpg's go down considerably. Same concept.