Water Temp. Gauge.........

[XplorerKid]

Hey guys,

Im woundering for all of you out there runnign water temp gauges, where did you mount your sensor? Or even if you dont have one, and know where to mount one, where do you mount it??

i need this info ASAP.... as i would like to mount it before i reinstall my radiator and all that good stuff tommorow...........


PEACE

and TIA

 

[Bill MacLeod]

If you are trying to install an aftermarket water temp gauge, then one method is to use put a tee into the heater hose and install sender there.
The sender will have to be grounded with a seperate ground wire.

I had this setup in my 93 X and now have it in my 99. Works just fine.

 

[XplorerKid]

i just read that if you use a Tee that the temperature is not accurate?? from what i read it could be like up to 30 degrees off, you had any problems??

they said you sohuld mount it to the block, But where??

Also, wont the guage only work when the heaters turned on? if it in the heater line...........

 

[LStoudenmire]

Great Question. ...I've wondered this myself.

 

[MrShorty]

If this were me, and I wanted a permanent, secondary temp gauge other than the stock dash gauge, here's what I would do (I've already done this on a temporary basis for diagnosis purposes, but I don't see why it couldn't be made permanent).
1) Get a cheap digital voltmeter.
2) Wire the leads across the computer's ECT sensor. (it's separate from the dash gauge sender)
3) Mount the voltmeter.
4) Turn on the voltmeter and monitor. The voltage correlates very well to temperature (the computer needs a good temperature reading) There are many places to find the table to translate voltage into temperature (including this table that I put together. tab delimited text file http://www.xmission.com/~vondm/fordtempsensor.txt)

FWIW, that's how I would do it.

 

[XplorerKid]

Very interesting, but i dont know, Keep the ideas coming!!!

i would like to mount this before the days over

PEACE

 

[Bill MacLeod]

You are not going to see much of a diff between the water temp in the manifold (where the factory sender is) and a sender in the heater hose. Think about it. How does your heater work and where does the hot water/coolant come from?

Besides, you can't comprehend any sort of temp reading from the factory gauge anyways. But you could put an aftermarket sender in the intake and then put the factory sender in the heater hose if you want both.

Once the engine is up to running temp and completely saturated with heat, I would be willing to bet that there would be little (if any) water temp difference anywhere within the engine compartment. Other than the rad return hose to the engine block of course.

It works every time. Give it a try. I have pics of my 93 set-up if you want them mailed to you. Can also take pics of the 99 set-up if anyone wants them.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

i just read that if you use a Tee that the temperature is not accurate?? from what i read it could be like up to 30 degrees off, you had any problems??

they said you sohuld mount it to the block, But where??

Also, wont the guage only work when the heaters turned on? if it in the heater line...........

The sender in the heater hose (downstream) of the stat, will function just the same as one in the intake manifold. The coolant system constantly cycles through the heater, the water pump impeller provides the means of circulation of the entire cooling system. When the stat opens, hot coolant is circulated through the rad.

If in doubt, with the engine at operating temp, turn your heater controls off, keep the engine running, then after say 10 minutes, grab either heater hose. WARNING... don't blame me if you get 2 nd degree burns to your hands. Don't do this, I'm only joking. With the engine cold, when started up, you can place your hands on the heater hoses and feel the heat as the engine warms up.

I actually prefer the aftermarket sender if the heater hose, as I can "gauge" how well the thermostat if functioning.

Ford (probably others) have put senders if a sort of tee that is located in a tube connected between the thermostat housing and heater hose. Could be wrong, but think early/mid 90, 3.8L Tbirds had this.

 

[XplorerKid]

Pictures would be great....

send them to ricekillerz@aol.com

Thanks,

 

[Bill MacLeod]

XplorerKid:

pics sent.

 

[LStoudenmire]

Can you pick the sending units up at any auto parts store? Anything certain you have to ask for? Do they also carrying the T Fittings for the sending unit?

 

[Bill MacLeod]

Sending unit must be compatible with the gauge. (autometer/autometer, stewart warner/stewart warner, ford sender/stock factory gauge, etc.)

Home Depot will likely have all the fittings. 1/2" npt brass tee, 2 hose barb fittings @ 1/2" npt. (barb must be large enough for the heater hose - think its 5/8") and a reducer for the T to the sender.

Let me know if you want pics.

 

[XplorerKid]

Bill, if you dont mind, when i get home tonight ill host those pics for you and post them in this thread, that way for others searching on this, they can see the pics........... Just checking with you first to make sure its ok


PEACE

 

[Bill MacLeod]

XplorerKid:

Glad to help anyone, so please do.

 

[roccov12345]

Can someone host up these pictures? I'd like to take a look to see whats going on.....