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Will not start: UPDATE

wheels87k5

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It starts....Ign. module pin that was shorter than the others, was the problem. Once replaced, it started right up....Now the temp gauge shows it's running hot and I get a code 15 telling me to check things for overheating such as the coolant sensor. It is brand new. Could it be the wrong one for this truck?
 
Finally got the timing set....seems to run a bit cooler...but the needle still sits right at the red mark on the temp gauge...just not enough to set any codes...what size thermostat should I be running. It has a 195* degree in it now. Is this correct? Thanks
 
Everyone here is not intimately aware of your truck situation... When starting question threads, please list specs...

All TBI's run a 195 therm...
 
Sorry about that...I had that info in the last reply and accidently deleted it when I rewrote it. 87 350 TBI w/headers. New block and heads. Same manifold. All new sensors, hoses, waterpump, thermostat, ign module. Finally got it started but it ran hot....got the timing set and now it doesn't run as hot, but stays just before the red. When you up the rpms, it will go down a couple degrees but go back to close to the red on idle. AS stated before, this is a new motor so there shouldn't be any cracked heads or gaskets. The wire from the temp sending unit gets pretty warm buy that could be because of the headers.
 
well, couple immediate thoughts are, first, gauge accuracy... Once again the perfect job for an infared temp gun.. Our Raytec's get used daily at work, invaluable.. just point it at the therm housing for a truly accurate #..

second, it's not uncommon for tbi motors to push 210...

The sending wire getting hot wont affect anything, unless it's shorting out, then it'll just pin the gauge...

third if it seems to have issues at idle, but does ok moving, look to the fan clutch.. I just had mine go about 6 months ago from the same exact indicators..
 
I grounded the wire, that goes to the sending unit, and it pegged the gauge. It doesn't pull any water from the coolant jug when it runs that hot, nor does it spew any back in. I haven't taken it out of the garage yet but that will change in a few minutes. Gonna give it it's first run since the new motor install but wanted to make sure it wasn't overheating to where it would cause damage. I will check on the fan clutch to see if it need replaced, after it cools down. Thanks for all the input. Wheels
 
Took the K5 out for a short drive....While getting to crusing speed of about 50 mph, it started to peg the temp gauge. I started to slow down, to come to a stop and shut it off, when it dropped out of the red zone. It still was at 220-225 drgrees if not more but at least it was out of the red. What direction is the water pump suppose to be turning? Mine turns clockwise....both the water pump and alternator run on serpintine belt, and the power steering and a/c run on a v-belt.
 
wheels87k5 said:
Took the K5 out for a short drive....While getting to crusing speed of about 50 mph, it started to peg the temp gauge. I started to slow down, to come to a stop and shut it off, when it dropped out of the red zone. It still was at 220-225 drgrees if not more but at least it was out of the red. What direction is the water pump suppose to be turning? Mine turns clockwise....both the water pump and alternator run on serpintine belt, and the power steering and a/c run on a v-belt.

Just to verify this...

You don't have serpentine.. All pulleys run on one belt with serp, not to mention the additional idler pulley...

I have an 87 too... It's one of those swap-overish type years where they where headed in that direction.. Thus the flatbelt on the alt...

Usually when under load, when the temp spikes, then drops back to thermostat type temps, it's usually a therm hanging up on opening, that or low coolant/air pocket... iirc, you said the therm was new.. Not that they haven't been known to be bad out of the box...

How did it run? Are you sure your timing is right? Did you have the EST wire disconnected?
 
Maybe I'm confused about what a serp belt is....the belt that runs the water pump and alt. is flat with 4 or 5 small tracks....and the v-belt runs the power steering and a/c...There is no idler pulley.... The temp never moves very far from red line....if I get up to about 50 mph it goes into the red line and a little past. When I slow to a crawl it will go back to just a tad to the left side of the red line, but it never gets down to thermostat temp. It always hangs around red line. Something just doesn't seem right for it to run that hot and practically everything be new....Is it possible to have the wrong thermostat? I know it's possible to have a bad one. Before the engine swap, it always ran about 210 and stayed there. :confused:
 
Setting the timing: You disconnect the EST wire first....start the engine and set timing to 0. Shut engine off. Plug in EST wire. Reset ECM. Start engine and timing is set. Is this correct?
 

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