Cruiser overheated last week due to broken fan belt. Temp went over 280 when it boiled over.

Would this damage the thermostat? I fixed the belt and now it won't cool down to below 210. It was running around 190 solidly before.

My current theory is that it may be stuck open and not letting the coolant stay in the block long enough to cool down another 20 degrees. Is this possible?

I've never had a cooling problem before. Im running a 350V8 Auto (350turbo) in a 76 FJ40.

Chris



The Beast
1976 FJ40, 350V8, Turbo350, 35'BFG M/T, PS

sure its possible, but why not replace it anyway?? what are they like $5 ?? its also possible that you loosened rust and other deposits and now have some blockage in the radiator, start off with a new t-stat and see how that goes.

Any opinions on SunPro gauges? I replaced a few weeks ago (pre-boil over) and now I may think it may be the gauge - about a month ago I purhased a combo unit (oil press, volt, temp) from the Zone to replace non-working ones.

This AM, I just went out for a test drive with new coolant after flushing the system 3x with h2o and it still sits between 210 and 230. However, when the truck was in the garage overnight, the gauge started at 180 degrees where before it dropped all the way to its low point 100. Any recommendations on better/higher quality gauges? ANy one else have problems with gauge mis-read?

Chris

I have the same water temp guage and have never had a problem. But then I have never had mine above 230 degrees either. It is quite possible, the spring that drives the needle is damaged. Was the needle on the stop at the high end?

I always replace the thermostat after an overheat.

yeah, the gauge pretty much pegged at the high point -when it overheated.... I don't know how they work, but if it won't go back down, it is totally shot or just reading high, because it may have shifted (210 = 190 actually). I guess I need something else to measure the temp to see independently....- if its still working just off set - then i can use it. thoughts?

chris