1955 Ford 650 Overheating

[belairmike]

I have a 1955 Ford 650 tractor. It has started running around 200 degrees. I shut it down and replace the thermostat, waterpump, radiator cap. I put a new radiator on it about a yr. ago. It is still running hot. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? Mike

 

[jhwis]

I have a 1955 Ford 650 tractor. It has started running around 200 degrees. I shut it down and replace the thermostat, waterpump, radiator cap. I put a new radiator on it about a yr. ago. It is still running hot. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? Mike

200 isn't boiling yet. First things first...have you blown out the radiator fins? Is the fan belt tight?

 

[Eric in IL]

I have a 1955 Ford 650 tractor. It has started running around 200 degrees. I shut it down and replace the thermostat, waterpump, radiator cap. I put a new radiator on it about a yr. ago. It is still running hot. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? Mike

Is the fan assembled backwards ?

A lean fuel mixture will cause an engine to run hot, especially under a heavy load.

 

[Dave BN]

Retarded timing will do that.
Dave

 

[scootergmc]

I have a 1955 Ford 650 tractor. It has started running around 200 degrees. I shut it down and replace the thermostat, waterpump, radiator cap. I put a new radiator on it about a yr. ago. It is still running hot. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? Mike

Assuming all is same (yes, even though items were replaced) before it started running hot, have you considered that the gauge or sender may be going bad, or the block is filled with crud and needs flushed? I also like to get the engine warmed up and use an infared gun on the block to compare actual readings to what the mechanical gauge is telling me.

 

[belairmike]

200 isn't boiling yet. First things first...have you blown out the radiator fins? Is the fan belt tight?

It is a new radiator and the fan blade is tight.

Assuming all is same (yes, even though items were replaced) before it started running hot, have you considered that the gauge or sender may be going bad, or the block is filled with crud and needs flushed? I also like to get the engine warmed up and use an infared gun on the block to compare actual readings to what the mechanical gauge is telling me.

It is a brand new gauge. Do you have to take the thermostate out to flush the block?

 

[jhwis]

It is a new radiator and the fan blade is tight.

It is a brand new gauge. Do you have to take the thermostate out to flush the block?

My radiator plugs up in a hurry if I'm mowing. I'd still blow it out. I like to use the water hose. Like scooter says...try infrared gun to verify temp. My Ferguson runs at 190-200 when it's working.

 

[cole in mo]

I have a 1955 Ford 650 tractor. It has started running around 200 degrees. I shut it down and replace the thermostat, waterpump, radiator cap. I put a new radiator on it about a yr. ago. It is still running hot. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions? Mike

If you didn't replace the lower radiator hose, see how soft it is, sometimes the spring inside rusts away, and the hose will collapse as the water pump circulates the coolant.

 

[showcrop]

Another way to check "what is going on" is to get it warmed up good and then remove the radiator cap so that you can view the flow of coolant.

 

[scootergmc]

It is a new radiator and the fan blade is tight.

It is a brand new gauge. Do you have to take the thermostate out to flush the block?

So the gauge was replaced too? How about the sender? And yes, when I flush a block I have the hoses/water pump/thermostat, etc. all removed. I do all sorts of things, run the flow in reverse, backflow from the most rearward orifice I can find/access, etc. I get the water moving in the most non-normal direction I can create in order to dislodge the crud that hides in the rear of the block.

 

[Ozlander]

My radiator plugs up in a hurry if I'm mowing. I'd still blow it out. I like to use the water hose. Like scooter says...try infrared gun to verify temp. My Ferguson runs at 190-200 when it's working.

I gota blow it out with a water hose from the back side.