Anyone with a 52 Fleetleader Deluxe have any issues with the engine running hot? We have one that didn't have a thermostat in it but it ran at 180 on the gauge usually. We put a thermostat in, a 190 degree, & now it pegs the temp gauge at 230 when on the highway but seems to cool off when in town. The inlet pipe for the heater core is hot but the outlet stays barely luke warm. I think it might be a clogged radiator. The thermostat install was something I had never seen. What looks like a rounded peice of spring steal that fit up into the thermostat housing & then holds the thermostat down? Not sure if that is right as there wasn't a thermostat in it isnce it was bought 5 years ago. Anyone had to play with the thermostat or cooling issues on the Fleetleader Deluxe?
I suppose you have the original flat head six into your 52?
The thermostat is in spring down position?
If yes to the second question, it maybe possible that your thermostat is the small hole one, that restrict the coolant flow. There is on market a thermostat with a bigger hole, and make a good differences. Also, those engine are prone to clogg around the #6 cyl, and the sensor is beside this cyl. A good clean up whit a screwdriver with some frostplug removed, and compress air help a lot too.
Laser thermometer is a good tool to help to find hot spot in the system.
Hope this help
Fitz.
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Thermostat was installed spring down. However it doesn't have a bypass hole. I'm thinking the parts guy gave me the wrong one. A coolant flush kit probably would be a good idea here to.
Fitz is correct, the back water jacket around 5 & 6 cylinders crud up, pop the frost plugs and wear a face shield and pressure wash the water jacket out. You will get a lot of muddy crap out the water jacket. When done and frost plugs reinstalled, reflush the engine thoroughly. On the thermostat I always use to drill a 1/16 hole in the plate to let out any trapped air to stop overheating when refilling.
Forgot about the rad. If the rad is in good condition go to an old timer in a rad shop and have the tanks taken off and the core rodded to get the calcium deposits out the tubes. We did this a lot in the old days.
-- Edited by 52Chieftain on Tuesday 15th of May 2012 09:52:24 PM
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