22re temp issue

Maverick26 · Aug 19, 2015

I got this 22re in my 81 pickup and I have been finding little issues lately that are odd to me. I am almost sure the TPS is bad cause it has trouble idling when warm, stumbles and dies. Runs better with it unplugged. Ever since I installed it, It never really warmed up all the way. I installed a new OEM Tstat when I did the motor swap. The other night driving home from work I moved the heat control from Cold to Heat and the temp started to climb. If I leave the heater on, the coolant temp gauge reads about where it should. Any ideas why this is? Its still the old 1st gen heater and controls, all stock.

skinny_pedal · Aug 19, 2015

Maybe stating the obvious, full of coolant? Do you have even temperatures across both heater core hoses?

WHITE TRASH1 · Aug 20, 2015

Where is the temp probe reading from?

ain'tstuckjustresting · Aug 20, 2015

One problem that can happen on RE's is that when you first open the heater valve it dumps cooler water right at the thermostat and for a short time it causes the thermostat to close and the engine heats up a bit. I've never had it happen but there are multiple posts on PBB about it.

crash2 · Aug 20, 2015

How old is the radiator? They are prone to plugging internally..

CHOP SHOP · Aug 20, 2015

crash said:
How old is the radiator? They are prone to plugging internally..

Yup, use a thermal gun or run your hand over the face of the radiator core when its warmed up and see if its hot by the tanks, outlet and inlets but cooler in the radiator core. Feel more than one area as it may be only partially plugged or completely.

But you dont overheat or run hot continually, just when things get changed/adjusted?

crash2 · Aug 20, 2015

We used to run it hot--shut down and put your hand right in the middle of the rad. If there is no flow--there is nooooo heat there.

Maverick26 · Aug 20, 2015

The truck never runs hot at all... it runs COLD... really cold. But when I open the heater valve to allow water to run into the heater core (heating the cab) the temp gauge moves up to a nice (operationg) temp spot on the gauge. The gauge probe is in the stock spot on this '93 22re.

Provience · Aug 21, 2015

How clean was the engine when you swapped it in? it may have a plugged line full of gunk.

Are the lines for the throttle body heater in good shape? they seem to be among the first to get full of trash. also, when was the last time the radiator was cleaned internally?

Rix · Aug 23, 2015

How are the heater lines run?

skinny_pedal · Sep 7, 2015

What ever came of this?

Maverick26 · Sep 21, 2015

I dont know, I think the temp issue was just a fart. I think its fine, but it does seem to run colder than I think is normal but I dont know. Its got a fresh OEM Tstat when I did the motor swap.

TPS is bad so I am replacing that tomorrow. This will probably cure some other funky running issues its been having. :redneck: