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lonestarjeff 08-15-2012 08:18:19 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Last summer I reported my 860 overheating in the 100 degree weather while shredding the pasture. At the time I eventually chalked it up to chaff & debris in the radiator, requiring me to come in about every hour or so to clear the fins. Didn't have any trouble after the hottest part of the summer was over. The same problem has come back the last couple of trips mowing. I built a bumper since last year to push more of the grass & weeds over before they can get sucked into the grill, which has helped, but my temp gauge continues to climb slowly thru the green & after an hour or so into the red. At that point I roll in & put some water thru the radiator fins & it cools back down to the green. I've played around some w/ the fuel/air mixture, but my temp gun tells me the exhaust manifold temp is around 600, so I don't think it's running too lean. I thought maybe it's the gauge, but it held steady all the rest of the year when ambient temp was below 90. Checked the fan belt too. I guess that leaves the water pump?? Jeff [Reply]   [No Email]
Bret4207 09-02-2012 05:33:59 64.19.90.196 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 08:18:19   When I rebuilt my 800 a few years back I put in a new radiator. The old one had been pretty abused and was close to 50 years old. After a time I found my temp creeping back up. I found that I needed to actually spend a lot of time blowing out the rad because the dust and seeds and dirt pack down in the fins. I also found, while replacing the water pump, that the fan blades had very little angle to them. Using a vice and my Mod 1 Eye Ball I added quite a bit of angle into the fan blades, enough that it looked "right" to me. Made a big difference of hot days. Now I have to reroute the gas line since on a hot day working hard it will boil the gas in the line and "burp" at the sediment bowel. I don;t know why they thought running the fuel line next to the exhaust was a good idea.   [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 09-02-2012 10:53:35 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to Bret4207, 09-02-2012 05:33:59   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see My radiator does pick up quite a bit of chaff too when mowing the high stuff, but I think Ford made these tractors w/ overcapacity in the cooling system, so they shouldn't overheat unless you're using most of that 45hp. I have another temp gauge sitting in the shop for my 165. I think I'll hook it up & see what it shows after an hour. Jeff   [Reply]  [No Email]
pernell 08-17-2012 19:25:06 64.57.167.160 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 08:18:19   The original radiators had a divider plate in the top tank that would shake loose and lay down over sevral cores in the radiator. I'ts a lot of trouble but if your not sure, take the radiator off and shake it to see if it rattles, if so I guarantee that is your problem.   [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-18-2012 09:16:13 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to pernell, 08-17-2012 19:25:06   I haven't specifically looked for the divider, but I have looked into the neck several times w/ a light. I've never noticed it in there, loose or otherwise. This is a '56 dated radiator, how was the plate set...lengthwise or short(front to back)? Jeff   [Reply]  [No Email]
Greg1959 08-16-2012 18:19:36 69.176.13.178 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 08:18:19   Preview Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 1:17 am Post subject: Re: 860 overheating/update I have been having the same problems with my 860. Rebuilt last winter. New hoses, thermostats (3), engine flush w/vinegar, another radiator, re-routed fuel line , new sediment bowl, new fuel shut-off at tank, new fan belt, tightened belt, new water pump, adjusted timing and carb. Still when it got into the high 90's, outside, It went into the overheating(red) on the gauge. I checked the radiator temperature with different candy and meat thermometers and the temps read 185(+)(-) 10. Finally, I had a thought, I started the engine when it was cooled down(overnight) and watched the Temp gauge. I have a 165 degree F thermostat in now. At 900 rpms the temp slowly rose. The needle was just getting into the "red" when the thermostat opened for the first time and then dropped way back into the green. At 165F I feel the gauge should not be in the "red" already before it opens. I bought a new gauge that I can actually read. I placed it in water with a candy thermometer and heated it up. It tested within a few degrees difference of the thermometer. I'll get that changed in a few days and let you know the results. New gauge.... This post was edited by Greg1959 at 18:31:43 08/16/12 4 times.   [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-16-2012 20:41:36 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to Greg1959, 08-16-2012 18:19:36   Interesting....if I follow what you're saying, the color-coded thermometer on your tractor(& maybe mine)appears to be calibrated to a 160 degree t- stat. Man, I hope that's the case.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Keith Williams 08-16-2012 06:25:45 24.142.137.38 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 08:18:19   All, An even poorer man's test. I put a "Frost plug heater" in my 4000. Got it in, put in new antifreeze and fired that mother up. As I stood beside the tractor admiring my great workmanship, the heater was pushed out of the block and I receive a quick shower of coolant. At least the tractor was not warmed up all the way! But that makes you a lot poorer as that antifreeze went on the ground! I found that I had not tightened the bolt enough that holds the heater in. Enjoy. Keith   [Reply]  [No Email]
NoNewParts 08-16-2012 05:46:00 67.240.145.25 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 08:18:19   warm the tractor up and carefully remove the cap, stick a meat thermometer in. when the temp is at the thermostats number, look in the neck. flow should be very strong. poor mans tests take both hoses off the radiator, put your garden hose in the neck turned up all the way. bottom hose should easily drain and stay ahead of the garden hose temporarily take out the thermostat, hook everything back up and fill with water. start the tractor and look in the neck, at different rpms water circulation should be very violent. If you look and think...'maybe that's good', it isn't, looking in at a good water pump running with no thermostat restriction, leaves no doubt. they are strong pumps very messy test but leaves no doubt if you can't see into the neck, take the top radiator hose off the radiator, stick a pipe in it, put your garden hose in the neck and start the tractor. water should blast out that pipe (beat me to it Chris :D ) This post was edited by NoNewParts at 05:47:03 08/16/12.   [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 08-15-2012 13:46:51 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 08:18:19   What say your heat gun when it's pointed at the thermostat housing? the block rail below the head? the oil pan? I think if you shot the block rail on the right side just below the head you'd get a pretty true jacket temperature... Rod   [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 09-01-2012 14:37:18 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to RodInNS, 08-15-2012 13:46:51   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Had a chance to heat up the 860 mowing again this week. Didn't have time yet to try a flow test on the water pump, but I did shoot the block temps on it again. When the dash temp gauge was on the line from green to red, my temp gun showed 220 between the #4 plug & temp sensor boss(on the head), 240 between #2 & #3(on the head), 160 at the t-stat housing, 160-180 along the block rail just below the head. Jeff   [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-15-2012 17:51:45 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to RodInNS, 08-15-2012 13:46:51   If I remember correctly I was getting around 240 back toward #4 & 190 up front @ #1. That was shooting the head near the spark plug. All I remember below the head was the temp was considerably lower(140-160). I didn't shoot the t-stat housing. Jeff   [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 08-15-2012 19:29:53 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 17:51:45   Try the thermostat housing and the area directly around the temperature gauge. As far as the gauge goes... you can turn the indicator plate on the gauge needle shaft on many gauges so it's not exactly a science that goes with reading them... I'd mabey expect the head around the plugs to be hotter which is why I'd really want to get a reading off the waterjacket on the upper part of the block.... somewhere you don't catch a lot of other radiant heat. It's a direct reading of the jacket that you want. Rod   [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-15-2012 20:55:38 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to RodInNS, 08-15-2012 19:29:53   I'll try it....it'll be another week before I'm up there again, though.   [Reply]  [No Email]
hd6gtom 08-15-2012 12:59:54 75.170.237.148 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 08:18:19   I had the water pump impeller come loose from the shaft on my skid loader, did the same thing you talk about. New pump solved the problem.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Dean 08-15-2012 09:01:55 67.172.15.77 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 08:18:19   I suspect it is the gage. My 860 with 6 blade fan has done the same thing for years but never boils or pings. I believe that non numbered gage is inaccurate. Dean   [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-15-2012 17:58:37 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to Dean, 08-15-2012 09:01:55   I'd like to think it's the gauge, but it slowly warmed up(5-10 min)& stayed steady right in the middle of green in cooler weather. The difference in 95+ weather is it just keeps slowly climbing. Haven't had the guts to see if it would peg. Jeff   [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 08-15-2012 08:44:21 173.103.87.138 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to lonestarjeff, 08-15-2012 08:18:19   might be time for a flow test into a bucket. i have a 134ci that i may be putting a pump on.. I think the impellor is about worn off. a buddy has a 640 doing similar and we've been thru all the stuff you mention except pump as well. gotta love summer heat. my 134's on back burner as i'm mowing with a 950 right now.. :)   [Reply]  [No Email]
lonestarjeff 08-15-2012 20:50:47 75.35.171.22 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to soundguy, 08-15-2012 08:44:21   Hmmm...a flow test? That sounds like an interesting idea.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Doug (OH) 08-15-2012 19:10:16 76.241.104.36 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to soundguy, 08-15-2012 08:44:21   SG, would you mind explaining what a the flow test entails? TIA, Doug   [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 08-16-2012 05:28:05 184.245.74.196 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to Doug (OH), 08-15-2012 19:10:16   a 5g bucket and no thermostat, and a full rad with the cap off. pump sucks from the bottom.. pushes out the top hose.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Doug (OH) 08-17-2012 19:48:35 76.241.104.36 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to soundguy, 08-16-2012 05:28:05   Thanks!   [Reply]  [No Email]
soundguy 08-18-2012 08:17:57 173.105.0.246 Report to Moderator	Re: 860 overheating/update in reply to Doug (OH), 08-17-2012 19:48:35   post back if you hit any sags.   [Reply]  [No Email]