LUVTruck.com

As some of you already know, i just recently performed a Cyl head rebuild on my LUV. At first, the engine was running at a consistent temperature, but at the moment, im noticing that the gauge is telling me that my engine is running cool


when it's warming up, it manages to get to this point

( C |___ ______|H )
----------/\


before dropping to this point (mind you this is with the heater off)

( C |___ ______|H )
------/\


once i start driving, this is what happens

( C |___ ______|H )
---/\

It barely stays at the begining of the line. i dont know if this means i have a faulty thermostat, but i just replaced it and it was working fine.

another thought that comes to mind is just the environment that im driving in. when i get off work, it averages 20 degrees outside. could this be a major factor? im just not sure what to do right now.... or if i should even worry

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To the Oquirr hills for awesome thrills! Go-go 4wd, Activate!

on most cas you can get 3 different thermostats, 160 deg, 180 deg, and 195 deg, although its difficult to tell which 1 you have, it might be a good idea to go get a 180 deg 1 for your truck if you can.

also yes the 20 deg temp outside will have an effect on how your engine heats up and runs.

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zyanug
75 luv stepside... Work in progress
76 fleetside 350hp 1968 327cu
"No replacement for displacement!"
___/__l____
[_@l__l__@_]***

I wanted an infrared thermometer for Christmas. Didnt get one. They are the kind you point at something and get a temp. Something like this maybe could help, better cold than hot though. Mine runs where your first example is normally after warming up. Mine is a 180 degree.

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1980 4x4

well, when i replaced it, i did get the 180 deg one. im just trying to make sure i dont screw something up y'know?

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To the Oquirr hills for awesome thrills! Go-go 4wd, Activate!

Harbor Freight Tools or a hobby shop have little tiny infra red thermometers. I use one for my RC truck. Real cheap at Harbor Frt. Not as good as an automotive mechanic type, but would probably work well enough. Only about $10.

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

The stock thermostat in a Luv is a 180. I suspect yours is defective or sticking partially open. In any case when the gauge drops to less than the normal first point you show, the thermostat should be closing again holding all the water in the engine block. None should be circulating through the radiator. In other words, if your gauge is reading low the top radiator hose should feel cool to the touch. If with the engine running and the gauge reading below normal and the top hose feeling hot it means the thermostat is not closing properly. The outside temperature should have little or no effect on the water temp of a properly working thermostat system.

I got one and I have been playing with it since yesterday. I know it's a simple thing but hey it's new so why not. The only thing I noticed with my Luv in cold weather is last week it was -22 and it takes a little longer to warm up to running temp. At about the time I get to where I'm going it's warm enough for the heater to work. Damnitt.

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In life there is the "Way things should be" and then "There's the way they are".

2005 Silverado 3/4T Crew Cab
1981 Luv 2WD
1979 Luv 4x4 Currently going through Open Heart and Cosmetic surgery
1995 Roughneck JetBoat
1981 Luv parts trk

yeah, i suspect it may be defective too, but im still going to try replacing the lower radiator hose and the heater lines and see if that solves anything.


man DT, -20???? are you serious???
what time do you go to work? midnight?


I also have that problem with the heater, but i make sure to start the truck before i really start getting ready for work. that way, its nice and toasty in there when i take off!

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To the Oquirr hills for awesome thrills! Go-go 4wd, Activate!

I go to work at 0430 Monday through Friday. The best thing about going to work that early is I get off at 1:30 in the afternoon so I get alot of time in the day to do "stuff". Man we have been cold, cold, cold and it's still early in the season. I park in my garage but it doesn't take long for it to cool down on the way.

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In life there is the "Way things should be" and then "There's the way they are".

2005 Silverado 3/4T Crew Cab
1981 Luv 2WD
1979 Luv 4x4 Currently going through Open Heart and Cosmetic surgery
1995 Roughneck JetBoat
1981 Luv parts trk

Older vehicles also had the option of whats known as a winterfront. Its a jacket that covers part of the ventilation in the front to allow warming up to proper temp in sub freezing temps. These are most often found on semi's but were also added to others as well.Ive seen as much as 2/3ds of the grill vents covered.
Used to have a 70 chev that would not heat up to normal operating temps in winter..(Thermostat was changed 2 times). I covered about 1/3rd of the vents and had no issues after that.. Removed after the weather warmed a little
Basically if your heater stops blowing hot air after youve started driving and it was before you started driving this is prolly the issue.
Prolly change the thermostat before trying this tho just to be on teh safe side.

That definitely sounds like a sticking thermostat. My guess at what's happening is that there's a bur or something in there, and when the thermostat gets warm enough to open, it also gets warm enough to stick.

Maybe stand outside your truck and try to listen for a slamming thermostat. It should be just a little tick type noise, but if I'm right, it will make noise.
lol, diagnosis, no dissassembly required.

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1980 4X4 LUV daily driver, as stock as can be.