90k Maintenance Time, Needs Some Suggestions

[aldive]

Gentlemen, please refer to my last post. Never use more than a 180 degree thermostat. All stock vehicles use higher rated thermostats to MINIMIZE emisions.

Any moderate or hard usage will push operating temps(with a stock therm.) above 210. That hastens wear, hurts power, and makes preignition more likely.

... and to maximize gas mileage.

I tow a Jeep on a tandom trailer in the hot Florida sun and do not see these temps using a 195 F t stat. I have NEVER had any preignition.

 

[Billy177]

i also use the 195 and it works great i have found that with my exhaust system that my underhood temps have dropped significantly and i get good heat when the temp drops to -10 outside

 

[Cali' Explorer]

Now, I don't want to contradict anyone about anything. But, I will say, that the one key I notice between Aldive, Billy and CDW is that both Aldvie and Billy, you have 4.0's, while CDW has a 5.0, like me. It would not surprise me if the 5.0 ran significantly hotter than a 4.0... I've had a 4.0 Ranger and can attest to the immense size difference as well as heat difference, the 5.0 definately puts off A LOT more heat than the 4.0.

My judgement, I am going to do the testing as I originally planned. Go down to my Mechanic Friends place, drive around harshly with the stock thermostat and see what temp the X runs at (according to the OBD-II which is all that really matters), then toss in the 180 and see what it reads (assuming that with the 195 its not running dead at 195 all the time, if so, then I will just install a 195).

Also, on a side note... has anyone with a 5.0 X found or tried to find gaskets that work on the collectors? I have had a nasty tick, part of which I know is the Exhaust Manifolds, but I also know a large part of it is the collectors. When I got new Manifolds from Ford (under Warranty), the Collectors no longer matched up perfectly. Ford re-adjusted them about 20 times, every time the engine would sound great for a day or two, then the nice rattle/shake/paper sound would come back. The last time they did it, they put some Sealant on the fitting, worked great for 3 1/2 days, longer than anything else. And the X was dead quiet the whole time... but after all was said and done, it now sounds noisier than ever.

its now to the point that its affecting engine performance and (I believe) throwing off my O2 sensors ( I have a weird problem where the X runs horribly Rich when Cold, but then Lean when warmed up).

Anyways, I am trying to find a Collector Gasket that can seal this up. if I can't, I may just have to have new collectors welded on, but I'm hoping it won't come to that.

I did notice that Summit Racing has a couple of 2-bolt collector Gaskets, 2 are made by SCE and come in a 2" and 2 1/4" inside diameter. The other is in their latest catalog on page 67, right hand column, 1/2 way down. Its made by Flowmaster and is listed as "Ball Style Collector Gasket, 2 1/2" conical" for $6.99.

Does anyone have any experience with this or has anyone had this similar problem and found a good solution? If so, I would greatly appreciate it as I don't really have the $$ to go blowing on $300 worth of Exhaust work, but if that's what it takes to keep the X running another 90k, so be it.

Thanks again guys for all your help, this board is great.

 

[CDW6212R]

Hello Steven, hopefully the sealant that was used on the collectors was not an RTV. Those sealants will foul up O2 sensors. The stock type conical gaskets are the best type. If there is an aftermarket replacement, then that would be a good choice.

Last thermostat comment: I have owned many Fords, from a current 93 Limited, to my first car, a 72 Gran Torino(351C 4V), to my latest 98 Mountaineer. I always record my mileage and MPG on every tank of gas(ALWAYS). No one else does this. I know when a change affects mileage. After learning about the losses from a 160 thermostat, I have installed countless 180's.
I have personally never seen any change in gas mileage, and no noticeable performance increase(I have a VC2000 computer). I have always noticed a decrease in temperature on the dummy gauge, usually from midway to about one third. Any improvement in cooling ability is a good change for safety and reliability. I have not ever had any problem with heating in winter(We do see zero occasionally here).

Don't waste time on testing, its not worth the trouble. Make a decision based on the experience of whomever you believe.
For the cooling system, other than normal stuff, the best thing you can do is to include water pump lubricant. Water pumps are troublesome to change, this will make them last longer. Good luck,
Don W

 

[aldive]

I always record my mileage and MPG on every tank of gas(ALWAYS). No one else does this.

I have personally never seen any change in gas mileage, and no noticeable performance increase(I have a VC2000 computer). I have always noticed a decrease in temperature on the dummy gauge, usually from midway to about one third.

Don't waste time on testing, its not worth the trouble. Make a decision based on the experience of whomever you believe.

Oh really?

What are the actual operating temperatures ( OBD data ) when using the various t stats? What is the exact mileage ( highway ) with these combinations?

Testing is always a prudent thing to do. If one accepted only data that others reported, how would one ever press forward? I was often told that it was impossible to get 25 MPG, much less 32, with my Explorer; glad I refused to listen and TESTED.

 

[Cali' Explorer]

In this case I do agree with Aldive, testing is key. What may or may not work for you, may or may not work for me. There are situations where things definately will or won't work, due to tons of testing by people, but in this case, since there doesn't seem to be a single concensus, I think I will test and see which works best in my situation.

In regards to the Sealant used, I have no idea what it was, it looks white/light gray, but I couldn't say what it was as I didn't do it. About the Stock Conical gaskets? What gaskets are you referring to. According to ford, on the 5.0 the Collectors are compression fitted without gaskets. I have been trying to find a gasket that I can use to aid in sealing, but as of yet have not had any luck.

On another note, I got my order of Royal Purple yesterday, and had my first experiencing loading/using the grease gun. Lets just say, I will never pull the air bleeder valve out all the way again, even if grease isn't coming out, hehe.

I also just had an alignment done. Caster and Camber were ok, not out by much, but the Toe Out was huge. Each side had to be adjusted in about 1" (so total of about 2" out). Explorer tracks very straight now.

I am still having issues with something in the front end binding after about 20 minutes of driving, but since I got the Alignment done for free (my friend works at the shop and his boss was cool, just had me buy a 12-pack of pepsi for the shop), I now have that money to have it inspected as well as have the front Differential Fluid changed out ( I don't have any of the tools to do it, so its far cheaper to just pay someone to do it, and I get a free inspection of my hubs, CV's and Differential while I'm at it). That should happen Tuesday, so I should know what's going on by Wednesday or Thursday.

Thanks again for all your suggestions, keep them going... I've only got 1800 miles until I do the big 90k =).