mechanical temp gauge location

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clementine

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Hellloooooo FABO!!

I have read a couple of posts on mech temp gauge probe location and have seen that the recommended spot is near the thermostat. My EFI unit temp probe is taking up that fine real estate at this point and I couldda swore I saw something about being able to run it off the drain plug in the block. Now this wouldnt show me immediate fluctuation when the thermostat opens n such.......so if I am not supposed to use the block drain is a thermostat housing spacer my only route???

Speak to me oh wise ones.....
 
You can buy (but you'll have to search) thermostat housing spacers that have additional tappings. "If you were careful" and if the sender (such as EFI or the original 1/8" NPT Mopar) you could likely tap it into the water port where the intake "blanks" that port at the rear of the block.
Bear in mind if you put it above the t stat and or the higher you get it---that in the event of a stuck closed stat or a leak that exposes the sender---it may not respond.
 
you could likely tap it into the water port where the intake "blanks" that port at the rear of the block.

So remove intake and tappy tap tap......correct?

And, no bueno in the block drain....correct?

The spacer would be above the thermostat so although a fix, not the best of scenarios....also correct assumption?

Thanks Del! you rule!
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Edit;

Ok now Im feeling like its my first day on the short bus here, but after your post del I looked at my Holley street dominator intake and found a plug in the #8 runner. I also cant see any water jackets on this intake.....I think I need some sleep.

Oh....I forgot the important stuff..

Its a 383..man Im tankin this thread already
 
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Assuming you do not have AC with a heater hose shut off. You could put a temp sender in the heater supply hose. It is always flowing coolant like the bypass hose.
 
No the stat transfers above the spacer. I am not personally "excited" about the accuracy of a sender in the drain plug

I would not remove the intake, just drain some coolant and drill and tap. You will NEED however, to get some practice if you are not familiar, and be CAREFUL tapping an aluminum intake as they will be somewhat thin there. And don't drive the tap in very deep as they are tapered. Be careful not to use an oversize drill and tap a little and try it etc "if you do"
 
Black car, black interior....I have AC. Thanks though, I appreciate it.
Do you know if the shutoff totally shuts it off? Or does it bypass it back?

Could do same in bypass hose it would just be a bit funky looking, but might be able to be hidden behind the compressor,?
 
Classic air unit. Call me crazy but I am not seeing where the coolant goes through this intake....is it the small runners just in the center?

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There is no coolant in a big block Chrysler intake. The fitting it the number 8 port is for a power brake vacuum fitting.
 
ou could likely tap it into the water port where the intake "blanks"
Ah, that "blank" I get it now. yeah, that could work. pending how deep it goes. I suppose I could raise up the probe with a coupler/adapter to make sure it doesnt bottom out. Ok, I am 'warming up' to this idea.

I do like the quick hose barb solution as well Dana67Dart if the AC would cooperate. A bit more work to get the intake tapped but what the hell, Im stalled out on this project bad....need to get movin.

Thanks fellas!
 
There is no coolant in a big block Chrysler intake. The fitting it the number 8 port is for a power brake vacuum fitting.

So Im not crazy???!!! Well thank you 413. Ill get it figured.
 
Looks like they go under which puts the probe in the correct place. Might be my answer.

Again thanks for the solutions.
 
It's called getting old, Brother. Nobody gets out of this alive, so have fun while you're here. I dug my axles out and will measure them on Friday. Thursday is knee replacement prep.
 
Being the contrarian that I am, mine is in the top radiator hose. Most folks don’t like that because you lose the ability to sense temperature if you lose water or your thermostat doesn’t open. It was that way when I got the car so I just left it as it was.

I have my stock gauge working still, so I don’t worry about it.

The interesting thing about having it in the top hose is you can see the thermostat opening and closing.
 
**** Dave I'm sorry I was thinking "small block." Doesn't your water pump housing have an additional plug?

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The top hole is used for EFI purposes and the little guy down a click is used for dash gauge. So as the intake isnt an option, I think the spacer is the way to go.

My bad on the opening statement to let you guys know what the heck I was working on. Some kids just dont learn!
 
Being the contrarian that I am, mine is in the top radiator hose. Most folks don’t like that because you lose the ability to sense temperature if you lose water or your thermostat doesn’t open. It was that way when I got the car so I just left it as it was.

I have my stock gauge working still, so I don’t worry about it.

The interesting thing about having it in the top hose is you can see the thermostat opening and closing.

I would be interested to see your setup. I want to have my dash gauge work but in my attempt for a "70s" theme hot rod I kind of feel the gauge pod under the ashtray area is kind of a nod. Ill be running those stewart warner 'greenline' jobbies, Ill also put my air/fuel ratio gauge in there.
 
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