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installing an after market temp gauge?

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Old 08-15-2009, 02:06 PM
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Default installing an after market temp gauge?

where are you guys installing the sending unit for a gauge? is there another port somewhere I'm not seeing?
Old 08-15-2009, 02:09 PM
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like the thermostat?
Old 08-15-2009, 02:25 PM
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I searched the forum and saw the sending unit on the head at the back between the valve cover and intake manifold. mine also has a sending unit on the thermostat housing. I'm not sure which one does what. I'm assuming one is for the fan and one for the idiot light? I want to add a gauge so I can actually know what the coolant temp is.
Old 08-15-2009, 02:40 PM
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Is it a probe type sending unit? Or thread in?


They make things like this...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-2281/

Last edited by UserID6095; 08-15-2009 at 02:48 PM. Reason: Add link
Old 08-15-2009, 06:33 PM
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The sensor at the thermostat housing controls the electric fan at about 220 to 230 F
that were I installed temp gauge - I T it in with 1/2 medal 1 in long water pipe and 1/2 T, works OK for me both temp & electric fan works normal - ran temp bulb thought dash on Lt side and drilled 1/2 hole above emergency brake out to the T and tie rapped and installed rubber grommet, silicone firewall hole. I still have lite and gauge to monitor.

Last edited by McRay; 08-15-2009 at 06:35 PM.
Old 08-15-2009, 08:19 PM
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I thought you were supposed to install it in the port at the rear of the engine next to the valve cover.
Old 08-16-2009, 03:24 AM
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Originally Posted by McRay
The sensor at the thermostat housing controls the electric fan at about 220 to 230 F
that were I installed temp gauge - I T it in with 1/2 medal 1 in long water pipe and 1/2 T, works OK for me both temp & electric fan works normal - ran temp bulb thought dash on Lt side and drilled 1/2 hole above emergency brake out to the T and tie rapped and installed rubber grommet, silicone firewall hole. I still have lite and gauge to monitor.
thats what I was thinking about doing. but wasn't sure. thanks for the info that's what I'm going to do.
Old 08-16-2009, 12:43 PM
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The sensor on the left rear of the head sends a signal to the idiot light or guage whichever you have. The head sending unit is different for either the light or the guage, as is the oil pressure sending unit if you have a light vs a guage.
Old 08-16-2009, 01:01 PM
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doesnt the one on the therm housing adjust timing based on water temp?
Old 08-16-2009, 02:30 PM
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Why don't you swap out the gauge cluster & have factory gauges? You will need to replace both the oil & temp sending units. Plus you get a tach!
Old 09-03-2009, 09:22 PM
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what has to be done to swap the guage clusters?
Old 09-04-2009, 04:38 PM
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search the forum. there are several write ups on it. once you have all the parts it takes maybe 30 mins to do.
Old 09-04-2009, 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by sportrider
where are you guys installing the sending unit for a gauge? is there another port somewhere I'm not seeing?
just install it in the drivers side back of the head
remove the dummy light unit and install the unit for the new gauge
the dummy light wont work any more but who cares you have a gauge now

Old 06-02-2011, 04:35 PM
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Sorry to bring this thread back to life ..anyways is it better to install it on the back of the head then or what
Old 06-02-2011, 04:56 PM
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That link above (Summit) showing the sending unit heater hose adapter would my choice of locations for the sending unit. That way, the sending unit is located in a good stream of flowing coolant and doesn't mess with the dash gauge/light sending unit or the ECU sending unit. Remember, the male/female threads must match or u'll for sure have a leak.


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