So my 86 3.8 is overheating. I've driven it for over a month and it ran about 190-195 with a 180 thermostat in weather around 65-70. But today it got up to 90 outside and it kept slowly creaping up to 220. Its my daily driver and I've already put a lot of $$$ into this car so if someone could help me figure out wats wrong b4 I spend a lot of money replacing everything in the cooling system till it stops (my usual way of fixing cars) I would be most appreciated.

 

How old is the thermostat? There could also be a clog in your coolant lines, are they original?

 

I just replaced the upper hose and thermostat. I havnt gotton around to replacing the lower yet. I noticed wat looked like lime build up in the thermostat housing. Wondered if that could b cloging up the radiator.

 

Its very possible. Take the hoses off and see if you can get down in the radiator and pill anything out. Hopefully its just something clogging your hoses though.

 

Ill do that. I looked at auto zones website and a replacement radiator is only $70. eventually a friend is gonna help me put an m90 from a t bird on it so will stock replacement radiator b sufficient?

 

Yea it should be just fine.

 

Alright. Thanks! hopefully ill it cooled down tomorrow.

 

Another guy just posted about overheating his Fox. Seemed like the radiator job was faulty - went to the correct 3 core and it was good. Might check search.

 

I tried searching but every time I hit search on my andriod an error message came up. Hope it gets fixed soon I'm in this forum constantly!

 

On a desktop search has been working better lately. You can also google the topic with tms or themustangsource in the string and often get better results. lol

 

Never thought of that. Thanks ill give that a try next time.

 

Well I replaced the radiator an I'm good. I don't no if any of u read another thread I posted but I'm still hesitating when I gun it. A friend told me I was running to rich so I replaced the MAP sensor and and plugs cuz they were fouled and it got better but its not where it should b. N e ideas??? I'm about to just take it to a garage.