215 is on the very high end of acceptable temps for this engine. I personally view that as overheating. Thats a matter of opinion guess. Engine temps should easily be in the 190-205 range especially in the cooler months.

Running with no thermostat is a band aid for a larger problem. If you've already got a 180 Stat and you verfied it's in right and not sticking you have another problem. As mentioned before you might have air in the system. Make sure you are running the heat full blast and the truck is tilted way up on the passenger side.

My opinion -for what it's worth- is those solutions delay the inevitable at best. A "sealer" is just that. It fills in small holes. Problem is the small water passages in the block and radiator also get "sealed". Compounded by the fact that the passages are probably already reduced by calcium deposits. I'm sure this will open a can of worms because there are guys that used this crap and swear by it. Bottom line is you can't fix a blown head gasket with a can of goo. All you can do is hide it for awhile.

Have you done a compression test on each cylinder? If you have an inferred temp gun you can check the top and bottom of your radiator. Shouldn't be a huge difference.

If it were me I would have already ordered head gasket kit. These engines are famous for it. It seems like your engine has over heated multiple times. Making the problem even worse. One good over heat can blow the head gaskets especially if they are factory. Combine those factors with your milage and the unknown history of the truck and I'd say it's time to do it.

 

Picked up some tubing and couplers off a Ford turbo diesel junker at my local junk yard. Made brackets for mid support and support by the filter. The filter is a Craigslist special I got for $5, tubing and couplers were $8. Had to cut and extend the AIT & MAF sensor harnesses so it could sit in the little cubby that acts as a box/shield. I like how it came out. Also did exhaust (no pics of exhaust yet). Throttle response is very noticeable and engine sounds better.

 

Looks clean just don't go swimming

 

Lol. Yeah don't plan on it ever. Maybe tire high water at the most.

 

Took stereo and cd changer apart today. Changer now works! So do my front driver side speakers! Rear hatch were blown out.. Foam was rotted all the way off. Replaced with Memphis audio 6.5's (took off the tweeters). System sounds good! I think I'm going to end up keeping the stock stereo installed and tap into the changer to add a Aux port. I like having the functional driver controls. Lol.

 

She looks good USNAVY. Looks almost identical to mine. My subs are also in need of foaming but I plan to save the originals. Great job!

 

Thanks dragon.

 

yeah for me the factory stuff is fine if you just put some cheap aftermarket speakers in that don't overpower the amp

 

Fixed the back window ecu. Easy peezy.. Work beautifully now. Cleaned switches up really good too. Followed this link :

Repairing the Window Lift ECU - How To

 

Made a power seat switch backplate out of some scrap sheet aluminum that I brushed up. I cut it a 1/2in bigger than the plastic shyt and secured it with self tapping bolts. Still need to clean tape residue from console that PO did. What a phucktard...