Aftermarket Water Temp Gauge,,Who Has Done This???

[OJTDJPR]

1977/ 360 motor
I am having a problem finding a place to put my sending unit part of my sunpro temp gauge.

The PO had a cheaper one in it, and has a weird set up using the original temp sender place, but the problem is the way he done it, was using adapters to raise it up off the intake to were the bigger threaded part of the aftermarket gauge would fit. But it does not allow the sender to be in the water flow, so I cant get a reading. I thought his guage was bad, but when I replaced it with the new sunpro it still has no reading. I have tested the guage and know it is good, so it has to be because of no water flowing over it.

I have done a search and only came up with one write up on it and at that time no one had any ideas either, except to drill and tap the intake to accept a larger fitting.

Just checking to see if anyone has came up with any new locations to mount the sender at???? As of right now I am running with no temp gauge, it is colder right now so I dont worry so much but summer is just around the corner, and would really like to know how hot I am running.

If no new suggestions, I am gonna go ahead and drill and tap the intake for the other size. Any help would be great, thanks

[ February 13, 2003, 09:18 PM: Message edited by: OJTDJPR ]

[Mo'Gas]

I think you can only use factory or aftermarket to have any sort of accuracy, not both.

[Elliott]

I had an autometer or sumthin', just put it in the threaded hole meant for the the original sender... but that was on an Edelbrock manifold.
Having an adaptor shouldn't make a difference, seems water would flow over it unless you have an air bubble needs to pass. Leave your cap off the radiator, open the heater core full hot and let the engine get warm.
Even if the sender isn't directly in the water flow it will still get heated to 'bout the same temp I'd think.

[Mo'Gas]

Temp sensors need to be directly in the flow to give an accurate reading.

[PAJEEPER]

Only other place I can think of is in one of the block plug holes. Take one of the threaded plugs out down by the motor mount and try the guage in there. It would be in the water jacket then don't know if that makes any difference than the manifold. Worth a try.

[OJTDJPR]

Originally posted by Mo'Gas:
Temp sensors need to be directly in the flow to give an accurate reading.Yes you are correct, it needs to be in the flow or the water. And on a stock manifold the hole for the sender is to small. I had not planned on running both the stock and after market, heck the wire for my stock one is no were to be found.

[dharmabum]

With the stock manifold there isnt much of a spot for an aftermarket gauge. You might try brazing the fitting into the tank of the radiator, it should be in the water flow then but will require some careful work with the radiator to avoid leaks. Or just swap an Edelbrock intake and enjoy the 4bbl as well. :D

[steven79]

i put mine in the cto hole near the compressor, fits good and works good if you don't need the cto.

[shredby4]

I bought one of those sets of gauges at autozone and couldn't use 'em. The fitting where the oil pressure sender goes was stripped out and I'm not sure if I can even fix it. It has a bolt in it to keep it from leaking... I, like you couldn't use the temp gauge either.. So I just took 'em back to the store.

[OJTDJPR]

Originally posted by steven79:
i put mine in the cto hole near the compressor, fits good and works good if you don't need the cto.Ok you got me, what is a CTO? I know there is a place on this forum to find this out, but I cant find it either :confused: .

If it is something to do with emissions then I more than likely dont have it, mine is a 77 with a none egr intake.

As for taking the guages back, I am running a separate Oil and temp gauge. I have no problems with the oil guage. As for my temp I need one on here, so if need be I will drill and tap the intake. Thats my next step. :(
Oh and these are not the cheap autozone guages, I am using sunpro guages on this.

[ February 15, 2003, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: OJTDJPR ]

[rangerkh]

The CTO is a Coolant Temperature Overide switch, There is one on the thermostat housing and another one on the intake near the oil fill. Your vacuum lines connect to these.

[chrism]

I have some T fittings that fits inline between the out going heater hose and the heater core. I usually use them for electric fan switches but I don't see why it wouldn't work for the temp gauge too. It may not be as accurate as having it in the manifold manifold but it should work. You can find them on EFI 5.0 Fords (crown vics, etc).
Just head to the pick and pull with a sharp knife to cut the heater hoses. I can take a picture of one if you want to see what it looks like.

[talntar]

I have some T fittings that fits inline between the out going heater hose and the heater core. I usually use them for electric fan switches but I don't see why it wouldn't work for the temp gauge too. on my old 350 i had a pipe that was screwed into the return and the hose connected to that wich had a fitting for the sending unit.im gonna have to take that off and see if i can use it on the jeep since i cant hook up my temp. either
i will try to take a pic later if interested

[ February 15, 2003, 09:23 AM: Message edited by: talntar ]

[PAJEEPER]

You want it in the block for sure because it heats up first. If you dont have EGR you can take that CTO out and it will go in there. Or the block plugs.

[talntar]

If you dont have EGR you can take that CTO out and it will go in there. Or the block plugs.
where are these plugs located?thanx

[greasyjeep]

Can you take the water neck off and have it drilled and tapped, if you don't feel comforatable doing it yourself?

[PAJEEPER]

Originally posted by talntar:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> If you dont have EGR you can take that CTO out and it will go in there. Or the block plugs.
where are these plugs located?thanx</font>[/QUOTE]They are down by the motor mounts by the freeze plugs. Towards the rear of the engine You'll see one on each side. They thread in and have regular pipe threads.

[talntar]

If you dont have EGR you can take that CTO out and it will go in there. Or the block plugs.

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where are these plugs located?thanx
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They are down by the motor mounts by the freeze plugs. Towards the rear of the engine You'll see one on each side. They thread in and have regular pipe threads.
cool,thanx smile.gif

[Wesdog]

As Chrism mentioned, you can install a TEE at the intake manifold heater outlet. You can get a brass tee at an autoparts supplier that carries brass fitings. You will also need a nipple ;) for the heater hose connection. I have been using a mechanical temp gauge in this location for a while now. The block drain ports are not going to be the best engine temperature monitoring location. The block gets cooled first and most of the heat is in the heads and it's the head temps you want to keep an eye on. Monitoring the rear intake manifold area near #8 cylinder is a good idea in my opinion. That is where I have experience engine damage in the past and is one of the hotest areas on the engine. Wesdog

[ February 15, 2003, 11:42 PM: Message edited by: Wesdog ]

[CowKiller]

a slight question. i dont have my cto hooked up, it broke. my egr is hooked up, dont know if it wokrs. motor runs fine. havent had to test this motor for emisions yet. not ttill june. is it somthing i need to have hooked up for visual inspection?

[OJTDJPR]

Originally posted by rangerkh:
The CTO is a Coolant Temperature Overide switch, There is one on the thermostat housing and another one on the intake near the oil fill. Your vacuum lines connect to these.Ok now I know what a CTO is. But mine is on a 77 model, it doesnt have all these weird things on the intake. I guess if I cant find a place, drilling and taping the original hole in the intake is going to be my next step. Thanks