Over heating in 4wheel drive and t-case popping out of gear.

[85 Jimmy]

Recently I've been getting a lot of calls to come pull people out when they get stuck. With all the rain we're getting down here everyone is out playing around.
Anyway, I've noticed that by the time I get to where I need to get out, lock the hubs, out to where they're stuck, and hooked up, my engine is up to 210. I have a 180ish thermostat in it with an electric fan. Of course, with the truck not moving, the temp only rises.
The thing is, I can let this thing idle in traffic for longer than I want to be in traffic and it never gets above 190. After the last time I pulled someone out I checked and had to add coolant. I'll check my coolant tomorrow when the engine is cold.

Another thing, my transfer case, a np 208, slips out of high 4 wheel drive all the time. And slips out of low when I have to snatch on someone. Do I need to be looking the the linkage for this?

Here I am goofing off before I pulled a guy out tonight.

 

[ChrisPerry]

How much mud is caked on everything? Remember that dried up mud holds in the heat alot. Also check to see if the radiator fins are blocked by mud.

 

[85 Jimmy]

No mud anywhere. I always rinse it off when I'm done, or the next day.

 

[ChrisPerry]

Ok, what gearing and tire size? Maybe you're working the engine too hard with not enough gear.

Hows the trans temp? If trans cooler is in the radiator it can cause engine temps to soar quickly. If this is the issue you can try holding each gear manually to keep rpm up above the converter stall.

My trans can get pretty warm if lugging in higher gears.

 

[Blue85]

I suspect the higher temps are not related to the T-case popping out of gear. You want to adjust the shift linkage to see if that helps or fixes it. If not, the case is due for new shift fork pads and/or new shift forks. Having loose body mounts can also cause the shifter to move when the truck flexes off road.

On the temps, maybe it's just low coolant. There are plenty of threads floating around on engine temps. What gears to you have? Do you have a tranny cooler? Tranny temp gauge?

 

[85 Jimmy]

I don't think the two problems are related to each other, just two problems that have both popped up at the same time.
Checked coolant this morning, it's good and full. It's a 350 with tuned port injection, 700r4, 4.56 gears, and 37" baja t/a's. The trans cooler is the standard one in the radiator tank and I don't have a trans temp gauge.

 

[Fred_M1010]

I don't think the two problems are related to each other, just two problems that have both popped up at the same time.
Checked coolant this morning, it's good and full. It's a 350 with tuned port injection, 700r4, 4.56 gears, and 37" baja t/a's. The trans cooler is the standard one in the radiator tank and I don't have a trans temp gauge.

Not that it has to do with your current issues, but you really should get a temp gauge when offroading with a 700r4, and probably an aux cooler too.

Do you have an electric fan only?
Even a good electric fan, is rarely as good as a stock mech fan with a fan shroud.

Since it's popping out of both 4wd hi and low, I doubt it's the shifter linkage.
The problem is usually only in one of the shifters end positions then.
My bet is bad shifter forks.

 

[nvrenuf]

Time for a Doubler!

 

[85 Jimmy]

Time for a Doubler!

Well, I got a rebuilt 203 and 205, just need the doubler kit, triple sticks, driveshafts, and cross members. I've been considering the doubler now that the case pops out of gear. I'll have to decide between the 454 and doubler though. Or put myself into debt and do both.

 

[85 Jimmy]

Not that it has to do with your current issues, but you really should get a temp gauge when offroading with a 700r4, and probably an aux cooler too.

Do you have an electric fan only?
Even a good electric fan, is rarely as good as a stock mech fan with a fan shroud.

Since it's popping out of both 4wd hi and low, I doubt it's the shifter linkage.
The problem is usually only in one of the shifters end positions then.
My bet is bad shifter forks.

I replaced the shift forks about 9 years ago, the first time I rebuilt it. If I have to open the 208 up again, it's getting trashed for a doubler.

I've been running this electric fan for the last 8-9 years without any problems, on or offroad. This is just some that has popped up within the last month or so, with no changes to the truck.

 

[nvrenuf]

Crud build up in the radiator?

 

[85 Jimmy]

Nope, nothing in the radiator.
I recently replaced the condenser and when I had the condenser out I sprayed the radiator out really well.

Unless it's inside of the radiator. But the coolant looks brand new still and I did a flush about 2 years ago.

 

[nvrenuf]

Yeah I was wondering about build up inside restricting coolant flow.