Needle has been consistent a hair over half when up to operating temp, yesterday was the 1st time I saw it rise higher, as I turned the heater on it went back down. My oil is full as I have checked it religiously the last 2 days, 1st thing in the morning and before I leave work, as the rig is on level ground and cold. I was told if I start the vehicle cold with the radiator cap off and no "gurgle," no head gasket problem, could just be a wise tail, I tried it last night and let her run for 10 minutes and no bubbling or gurgle. I will try the fan movement and report back later with my findings.

 

The water from the heater core provided a little cooling, and the extra square inches of radiator it added also helped. Good survival tactics.

You will probably find problem with fan and/or radiator. Being it is this warm these days, your problem is small, mine started doing this when spring temps reached 72 degrees.

Once overheat is fixed, proceed with oil flush and refill with your choice of oil, 10W40 Rotella is fine. We have people who are very pashionate about oil, I can't imagine what would happen if we started talking about the best beer or distilled spirits....

 

Laphroiag Cask Strength and Long Trail Double Bag!!!

 

But you are in CT, not VT....!!!!

 

It's still a might fine ale! I'm in CT and drive British trucks. What can I say?

 

Nothing gets by Paul, and we thought he was napping on that creeper under the Disco...

 

She has been in hotter areas, I work in Newport Beach but, live in Valencia which is between 90-100 in the summer, in all honesty, this just snuck up on me, she has been very reliable and I wouldn't part with her as she is a classic, I can do the majority of the work with instruction(s) and that is appealing to me.

 

You should be fine. As things like the radiator age, they loose the ability to do what they should. Radiator clogs up with calcium and other crud. Previous owner may have used "stopz leekz" super formula, and most of that would settle to the bottom of the radiator, decreasing cooling.

What you don't have -

oil smoke (blue - usually valve seals)
white smoke (coolant in cylinder(s))
gurgle sound (combustion gas in coolant)
coolant loss (staying in same place when cold is good)
very high heat readings

What you may have:

small oil leak, now you know why to check often
fan clutch, radiator, maybe water pump (but that usually shows up when driving as well)

What you do have:

Good problem solving attitude and no fear of grease

 

DO not waste your money on fuel injector cleaner or engine flushes.
As long as use quality gas, like Shell, BP, Chevron, etc. you do not need injector cleaner.
Make sure you are using premium, as it is required.
Use Rotella 15w-40 and dont worry about it, just change the oil every 5,000 miles and check it once a week.
If you go to the tech section you can see a "how to" on cleaning the throttle body, that is all that is needed, do that once a year.
Also clean your oil separator inside the passenger valve cover.
There is a hose that goes from the valve cover to the intake, remove the oil separator and clean with carb cleaner, then put it back.
Do that once every 6 months.

 

Ok, it's my fan clutch and water pump, I've never done before but, have a facility to do the work, $350 installed.