Let me break this down to clear confusion. Sorry for the multiple posts, I did not know that when you repost to a thread, it rises back to the top. So when I made each thread, it was in hopes that it would be seen, and not on the 30th page. For that, I apologize. After DirtDonk let me know of the situation, I posted each thread in the first post on this page.
Now for the back story of my truck:
I had a 351W, 3 speed and no A/C in my truck. I started having issues and would not stay cool no matter what (again a cooling issue) I had massive electrical issues, a bad clutch, a seized dana 20 and a handful of other issues with the truck.
I called around to different shops, asked question on the forum, of who to bring my truck to for work, since at this point it was more than I could handle, after wrenching on it trying to fix the issues for over a year. I settled on West Coast Broncos.
I brought my truck there. John, the owner told me that my previous 351W had been rebuilt a few times and the cylinder walls were too thin, so he suggest a recently rebuilt, in great condition 302 from another customer he had. I was told it had less than 15k miles on it and not a single issue. I swapped my block plus $600 for this new motor.
During my build I decided I wanted A/C and an automatic transmission with overdrive.
Do you see where this is going? Everything is from a fresh build, all at once.
Fast forward a year later, I have a rebuilt dana 20, new to me (rebuilt) 302, vintage air, 700r4, Centech wiring harness, new exhaust, my old radiator from my 351W (that I should have changed, but didn't want to spend the money), and a slew of other new things done to my truck.
I picked up my truck in January, the weather was colder, not nearly as warm as it is now. I picked the truck up about 125 miles from where I live. I drove it home, constantly moving, no traffic in mild weather, about 60 degrees.
For the week I had it, I noticed I could not get the dana 20 to shift to anything besides 2hi, I had issues with paint, a few electrical things and some other odds and ends. Again, I did not sit in traffic once and it was cool weather for the entire week. I spoke to John and decided to bring the truck back to West Coast Broncos.
A month later I picked the truck back up and again, drove 125 miles home. Along the drive I noticed I had vibration, (like driving over a rumble strip) anytime I was between 1800-2200rpms, then I actually got stuck in traffic. My temperature rose, and rose and rose until I pulled over and let it cool (around 240 degree range) When moving the truck was at 180-195 which I was comfortable with. I called and spoke to West Coast Broncos, there response was, it didn't overheat when we had it. I had my truck towed back to them, so they could look at it. A month later I am told to pick my truck up, and that they could not get it to overheat and it is perfect, nothing was or is wrong and that they don't notice the vibration. I start to think I am crazy. So again I pick up the truck. It vibrates the entire way home, no traffic.
The next week I am driving to work, I get stuck in traffic and it overheats. I call West Coast Broncos and the response is: If I want it fixed or looked at I have to pay for his time. That the vibration is not his issue, that it is Bowtie Overdrives issue. Since they did the torque converter and transmission. I call Bowtie Overdrive, they swear up and down they never ordered nor put in the torque converter. I call West coast Broncos and they tell me they didnt, so its not there problem, and I need to work on my truck myself, it will be good for me, to pull the transmission apart and figure out why its vibrating. And again, it didnt overheat when we had it, so not their problem. That they drove the sh*t out of it (his words) and not one thing was wrong. They drove it 35 miles according to the new Dakota digital I had installed.
So with no where else to turn, since the builder was not willing to help me, I turned to the forums.
With my logic, it was my radiator that was bad, since before on my old setup, I did have a blockage in it. So I assumed West Coast Broncos didn't clear the blockage and wanted a fresh, new start with a new radiator. I put the radiator on, and ran it for a bit, it was about 60 degrees and the temp would not get to operating temp. Wow I thought, this radiator is a cooling machine! I drove it for a few weeks with little hiccups, then the temp got to around 70 degrees, bam, it starts over heating again.
So I make another post, get some advice, follow that advice. That was to replace my thermostat. So I take out the thermostat, the truck has a 160T in it, it is getting stuck, as I can see the scrape marks on the barrel, I put it in boiling water, it opens after 160, and then doesn't close back down, it had to be pushed closed. So I listen to the advice and I put a 195T in it. After that I can not keep the engine cool.
So another post, (again not realizing I could have posted to the same thread) collective advice is that my 5 blade flex fan, and mangled plastic shroud are not working. So I listen to the group, I get a hayden 7 blade and try multiple shrouds to get one that fits.
That then brings us to this thread, on how it just doesn't end for me. I am then made aware that I could have kept the same post alive, and not a new pot every time, again, I apologize.
Flash forward after many attempts and listing to the advice of EVERYONE, I promise not entering a def ear. I am sometimes not able to try things immediately, as the truck is my daily driver and I work roughly 6-7 days a week, so late nights, or early mornings is when I can wrench on it.
Yesterday, I am driving the car in warm weather, and it refuses to stay under 230 - 235 when ever I stop. Climbs very quickly. While moving I was at 170. I just so happen to be working by a local bronco shop ASC Bronco in Venice. I called the owner David and asked if I can swing by, as I knew in 2 hours of LA traffic, I would not make it home. I get to his shop, they immediately pulled my plugs and did a compression test. It held 130 on each side of the motor, they then pulled multiple plugs and notice they are pink and have a gapping of around 22, and that they are as they said mustang winter plugs. They proceed to look at my fitech settings and the settings coincide with the color of the plugs, that I am running incredibly lean. Hence, they believe that is my problem. Today they are going to change and gap my plugs and check for a vacuum leak, recalibrate my fitech and take an overall look.
ASC looked at the tabs on my head gasket and said they look to be on properly, but we can pull the freeze plugs after we swap spark plugs if I still have an issue. The shroud and fan setup he said looks great. He did notice that my fitech fuel pump is leaking, which could result in less fuel being delivered than required.
So today, plugs will be changed and gapped, fitech will be retuned, and if possible fix the fuel pump, or I have to replace.
That is where I am at, I hope that clears any confusion I have created and for that I apologize. I am so grateful for everyones help and support in the community. I will keep you updated on what the results are today. If these steps don't solve the issue and we can not tell the orientation of the head gaskets from the freeze plugs, then we will either pull the motor apart to get to the head gaskets, or unfortunately I will have to sell the truck due to the cost of the work and time.
After waiting for my truck to be rebuilt for a year, I am saddened to still be dealing with large daily issues and just feel like I am banging my head against a wall repeatedly. This has not been the only issue, but one of the largest.
Thank you again for all your help and support.
