Ok first of all I'm not talking about my car. And no I'm not thinking of pulling mine out.
I work at the airport here in Tampa and we use tractors to pull carts around with. They have a 1984 Ford 300ci straight six in them. Well I have 2 of them that keep overheating. I thought it might be the thermostats so I went to change one of them and it didnt have one. The other one was running 190 degree t-stat but the manual calls for a 160 degree. I put the 190 in today. I didnt notice at the time but the parts store sent me that one instead of a 160. I've tested the fluid in both and its good. I've replaced both radiator caps and it didn't solve it. I dont think its the pump. I've had a older style pump go out before and it sounds like a box of rocks. Both radiator hoses are getting hot so I know I have good flow. I havent seen any leaks or coolant in oil and the fluid level in the radiator seems to be the same. Other than whats ended up on the ground because we don't use overflow bottles. I don't think the system is clogged because these units have just been referbished and have new radiators in them. So basically what I am asking is the cause of my problem not running a t-stat? And because I have a too high of a t-stat? I'm thinking the one without should have one but the one with the high one has me wondering. If it has 190 degree t-stat in it should it stop at 190? I know 190 is the standard for today but I'm not sure about the older engines. Both engines go up to about 240.
