87 f150 and Washington state passes

[Freeborn53]

I'm new to boating, I have a Arrowglass puma with a Evinrude 90, the boat engine and trailer weights approx 1400~1700 lbs. I'm towing with a 87 F150 302 ci v8 4by4 drive. My question is should the engine temperature gauge reach 80% of maximum when going up the passes. What tests on the cooling system should I have done.
PS Loving every minute of boating!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 87 f150 and Washington state passes

That's typical going up a long hill. Just make sure you have good coolant and your belts are okay.

If you get concerned with the transmission .... install an additional cooler.

If you feel it acting funny (tranny) going up hill take it out of OD and keep it out until you are on flat ground.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 87 f150 and Washington state passes

Do you mean 80% of the normal range, or 80% of the whole range on the guage? 80% of the normal range, is, well, normal. 80% of the total range on the guage could be above the normal zone.

If you've been going over the passes this year during this cool weather and the temp rises a bunch, then there might be an issue, but on a warm day it would go up some.

 

[JJwithaSearay]

Re: 87 f150 and Washington state passes

If you are on Snoqualmie with that light a load you should not be having much problem. Stevens, Chinnok, Blewet....now you're talking some hills. Does it cool right down as soon as you get over the hump?

 

[klicknative]

Re: 87 f150 and Washington state passes

I don't know how far east you are going but climbing up out of Vantage (both ways) is a harder pull than the pass. I would find a good shop that has a coolant flush machine and have them give it a good going over including a pressure test. If it has an automatic trasmisson put the biggest and best cooler you can on it and it will be fine.

 

[synergy141]

Re: 87 f150 and Washington state passes

Just take it easy up big hills and steep climbs if your engine gets too hot and overheats ford motors automatically shut of ( at least thats what my Econoline 350 motorome did) so just take your time and you will be ok.

 

[rndn]

Re: 87 f150 and Washington state passes

The temp really should not be climbing much. Do you tow in or out of overdrive? Is your fan clutch engaging? If you take it out of overdrive and it's still climbing up it sounds like maybe your radiator may not be up to par. As stated, a good flushing or a new heavy duty radiator may be in your future. That light load should be a walk in the park for your truck.