460 water temp...Hot or not ?

[popeye766]

How hot is hot on the ford 460 ? When we see the L in N O R M A L what actual temp is it. I have installed an actual degree gage and drove it around the block...... idles at 199, then went to 210 around the block and up a slight hill...... seems hot to me.....80 degree day....96 F53/460 efi 33 ft.

[Hank_MI]

If the sensor is in the head like the Chevy 454 a 10-20 degree difference between thermostat and gauge reading is typical. The sensor is sandwiched in between 2 very hot exhaust ports.

[popeye766]

Thanks Gjac....I understand....installed it in the same place as the stock one was.......

[popeye766]

Thanks Gjac....I understand....installed it in the same place as the stock one was.......

[popeye766]

Thanks Fred.....I understand all you and others have advised....Iam going to drain the system to install a new Autometer temp gauge...at that time I will install a new thermostat just in case....
thanks to all and keep giving suggestions....

[Gjac]

Where did you install the sensor for your new Gauge? I had a whole bunch of problems with overheating when I first got my M/H. After many mods it settled down to 210 F on a flat. The fan clutch never comes on in normal driving only when climbing long steep hills will it come on. I thought 210 was too high also and went to a 180 f thermostat which lowered it to 195. It ran fine until the outside temps dropped in the fall and winter, I would get eng codes. I shot the sensor in the head with my IR gun and compared it to the thermostat housing. I found a 15 degree lower temp in the housing than what my gauge was reading. I re installed the 195 thermostat and no more eng codes. I said all this to say that gauges can be off and where you install the sensor can make a difference.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

Is the fan clutch kicking in? It will make the fan roar and make about double the normal noise. THis is normal on a mountain grade, but should bot be coming on while driving around the block, your engine should reach the middle point after about 4 - 6 miles driving, and stay there until you climb a mountain.

So if you never hear the fan clutch kicking in, I vote to replace it. Your actual problem is the thermostat is only opening about 65%, a little of the wax has leaked out. Get one at your local Napa store, or other local auto parts dealer. It only takes about a hour to replace it, you first need to drain and capture the coolant, only need to drain about 1/2 of it, or about 2 gallons. The thermostat housing is the upper coolant hose, and it blocks all the coolant flow until thermostat gets hot, then the small amount of wax inside expands, opening up the water flow to the radiator.

Anyway the housing comes off pretty easy, and should be an easy fix.

The fan and it's thermostatic clutch is a bit more difficult to change. Sure there is plenty of room under the RV, but you will be on your back, and the front axle is directly under the fan, so getting to the bolts is a bit difficult.

You might also need to wash the radiator. They do get dirty, and taking a garden hose to it will clean it up pretty well.

Fred.

[Ka_Ron]

Our 460 runs around the center and when climbing a hill on a hot day it does rise a bit, but then the fan comes on and it goes down fast.
Never made it up to the L

[popeye766]

Yes John ,mine too....and that fan will definitely bring it down to the center......I wonder what the center is in temp.

[John_Joey]

Mine would never get past "M", if it did the clutch fan would normaly kick on shortly after that.

[dakdave]

210 I would not condider hot.What thermostat is in it,age of t stat? Is radiator clean on outside?Look between rad and ac condensor.try on road at highway speed,fan clutch could be bad.radiator could be dirty inside.check by removing lower hose and looh through outlet with small mirror to see of tubes are clogged.
210 around town would be ok as long as it isnt losing coolant in my opinion.
dave