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born2steel21
GenIII
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10/16/2002
13:58:58

Subject: Almost lost the engine!!!
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Well, I was on my way to work this morning when my check gauges light came on...then looked to see my temp gauge in the red!! I immediately cut the engine and coasted off the road. Got out and popped the hood and looked around but didn't see any leaking fluid or anything else out of place. Waited about 20 minutes and got back in and started it up. The temp gauge started to fluxuate but I managed to keep it out of the red until I got to work. Had my uncle check it out and he discovered that my T-stat was broke. Luckily I had an 180 degree T-stat in my toolbox that I never got around to installing. Put it in and presto, she runs like new, even a little better I think. Thank goodness for that check gages light, otherwise I would have been SOL for a while. Then again it would have given me an excuse to do a V8 conversion...lol.

-- Death Before Dismount --

Bill
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10/16/2002
14:10:15

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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Glad to hear you were able to get things taken care of. How long did the 180 t-stat install take?

Bill
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kota on 20s
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10/16/2002
14:12:47

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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you still might have cracked a head or two.

-Eric
Injection is nice, but i'd rather be blown.
5.2L, 5speed. Powerdyne SC, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, MSD 6BTM, ciramic JBA headers, 3" carsound cat, dumped gibson

born2steel21
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10/16/2002
16:42:11

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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me too Bill...took about an hour to install...I killed it right before it creeped in the red part of the gauge and I got the hood open right away...about 40 degrees out at the time...how would I know if I did kota on 20's? I drove it for about an hour after I got the T-stat in around town and I didn't feel anything wrong.

-- Death Before Dismount --

Bill
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10/16/2002
16:45:54

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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Thanks Scott, maybe I'll get around to that this weekend if the weather holds up, supposed to be cold here in the Midwest.

Bill
Bill's Truck Page
ARE Tonneau Cover
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kota on 20s
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10/16/2002
16:55:51

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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i dont know if you will notice anything or not. i have heard the magnum heads crack between the valves. i know 2 guys that did head swaps, and when they took off there old heads, 3 out of 4 were cracked. they didnt even know it.

the only way to find out is to take off the heads and look at them. if you dont notice any thing i wouldnt worry about it too much.


-Eric
Injection is nice, but i'd rather be blown.
5.2L, 5speed. Powerdyne SC, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, MSD 6BTM, ciramic JBA headers, 3" carsound cat, dumped gibson

BlackDak02
*GenIII*
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10/16/2002
18:07:45

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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born2steel21,
you were fortunate that you caught it in time. Did it actually overheat?
If it overheated with steam pouring out when you popped the hood I'd be concerned.
Telltale signs are mysterious loss of coolant with no leaks visible, also check the oil & see if it is turning white from water contamination.
If you are still concerned do a compression test.
But like you said it's running like it was previous to the mishap so you're probably OK.


2002 Black CC SLT 4x4
4.7L 45RFE 3.55 LSRD

"Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has."
Descartes

born2steel21
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10/16/2002
23:13:58

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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thanks for the info guys...there wasn't any steam coming from the hood even though it was cold out and like I said, I cut the engine as it was beginning to creep into the red and had the hood popped within seconds of stopping. I'l check the coolent level tomorrow to make sure thats alright. Just happy things aren't alot worse. Good luck on the T-stat Bill. You might just want to carry it around for a while rather than install it...you never know when you just might need it...lol

-- Death Before Dismount --

Preacherman
Dodge Dakota
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10/16/2002
23:44:53

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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Born2steel21-

Hey, how many miles on your engine, and is that your first T-stat replacement?



born2steel21
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10/16/2002
23:51:25

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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about 38000 miles...and yes thats the first replacement

-- Death Before Dismount --

Bill
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10/17/2002
06:10:41

RE: Almost lost the engine!!!
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Now you've got me scared Scott, maybe I will just carry it around and not install it!!!!

Bill
Bill's Truck Page
ARE Tonneau Cover
Wet Okole Seat Covers
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