There is alot of good advice in this thread. The typical t-stat Ford uses in the Mustang 5.0 is 192 degree version, with a pinhole bleeder for burping naturally. They are the only replacement t-stat worth anything. The optimum operating temp is actually about 210, but the engineers at Ford try to keep it between 200 and 205. Coolant is a VERY misleading name. It's effect is quite the opposite. Coolant actually retains heat, and raises the boiling point, so your engine will run hotter, but it won't boil over. IMO, this is a bad thing, because sometimes the only way some people ever know there is a problem is because their radiator overflows. The recommended 50/50 mix is a joke. In the Arctic Circle, 70% water and 30% coolant is the most you'll need. In the tropics, 10% coolant is plenty, and would really only serve the purpose of lubricating the waterpump and conditioning the mixture to protect the metals and hoses it contacts, from deterioration.
If your cap is less than a year old, replace it too, although I don't see that as your problem. Replacing the fan clutch should solve it.
Take care,
-Chris
|