Paul Heydon
New member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2022
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 1
- Vehicle Year
- 1987
- Vehicle
- Bronco ii
I recently purchased an 87 Ford Bronco II with 360 000 Km. The body and interior are in mint shape but it has a bad automatic transmission. We are in the process of installing a manual transmission. I have an extra 1989 2.9L from a ranger with 180 000 Km if the engine does end up needing to be changed. No point swapping heads on such a high-mileage engine. The temperature does not go up much on the gauge. The temp also drops when I put on the heater which blows hot air. When we blocked the radiator with cardboard the temperature came up to the middle. The thermostat works as it opens when the truck reaches 195F. It still blows heat but the temperature gauge goes down. The engine runs really well but wondered if it might have a cracked head(s) from overheating at some point in its life. I know the 2.9's from 1988 and prior had weak heads. The coolant builds up pressure and moves through the engine. I was going to do a coolant pressure test to see if there is a leak in the system. Are there any other tests to see if I have a problem? Maybe a bad temperature sender? Any advice would be appreciated.