Temp Gauge Erratic '73 Dart (225) /6

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Mike's Dart

Mike's Dart

Dodging The Negative Darting Toward The Positive
Joined
Nov 20, 2016
Messages
113
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Location
McDermott, Ohio
Well, I have put 3350 miles on this little Dart since purchase in November without an ounce of trouble so I guess it is just time for a little head scratching and troubleshooting! The past couple of days I have noticed the temp gauge leaning toward the 1/2 way mark running down the road at 55 MPH or so. It has stayed down around the 1/4 mark since I began driving her on a daily basis and now the needle will run up to that 1/2 point and then drop back off? Stays down where it belongs at idle? Turning the heat on with the fan blowing seems to help. Coolant level is same as the day I bought her and I have not found any leaking around the water pump either. The only thing I have found that is really odd is that "U" shaped shelf facing forward on the water pump housing below the pulley/shaft has a sticky oil or grease puddle in it? I have a new thermostat so I may go ahead tomorrow and change it and see what happens. This afternoon the needle moved petty quick upwards then dropped back off just as quick without me doing anything wit the speed or heater fan. Sending unit? Thanks in advance! Mike B.
 
Sounds like the thermostat, but the temp sensor is cheap enough to change anyways.
 
Mike's Dart said:
Okay, thanks! I will R&R it tomorrow and take her for a spin and see what happens. Thanks again!
Mike B
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Removed old thermostat (195)! Installed a 180 and all is good! I think I am going to put a water pump on her this week anyway as it had some "wiggle" when I pulled around on the fan/pulley and it appears to be the original pump. Thanks!

Mike B
 
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Wiggling is not good. I'm surprised it's not leaking yet. The wiggle,of course, points to a bad bearing and/or bearing bore,making the pump junk.Nice catch on the gauge fluctuation. I never look at those gauges,lol
 
AJ/FormS said:
Wiggling is not good. I'm surprised it's not leaking yet. The wiggle,of course, points to a bad bearing and/or bearing bore,making the pump junk.Nice catch on the gauge fluctuation. I never look at those gauges,lol
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Gotta give credit where credit is due! My brother is "schooling" me on this fine old Dodge! He has been in the Auto-Tech business since 1979 and is a Master Technician at a local dealership and one of the best in the business. He loves any old car/truck especially the ones from the early 70s! Like life, things were just simpler back in those days! As far as watching the gauges I drive a school bus and was trained to pay attention to those things! I originally bought this old Dart to drive for four or five years until I retire and not put a ton of miles on our 2017 model, then maybe sell the old Dodge.....now I'm thinking about selling the Camry and keeping the old Dodge!! ;>)
 
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