Installing gauges on the 283 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Legolas894 · 09-01-2009, 09:39 PM

I'm tired of the idiot lights and don't have the money for a new dash with gauges. I bought a Sunpro Trio (Volts/Temp/Press). I think the temp and press are mechanical. Instructions are almost useless.

I have found the pressure "switch" on the top of the engine at the back next to the distributor. I assume you take the switch out and then put in the nylon oil line that runs to the oil pressure gauge. On my 283, I can't find anywhere where the temperature sender would be. My idiot light wasn't hooked up when I bought it. There was a broken gauge sender in the water outlet so I bought a new switch for that location. Post on here say there should be a spot near the spark plugs where the idiot light sender was supposed to be-I can't see anything there. I dont' really want to put the temperature sender in the outlet pipe since it's on the other side of the thermostat. Any ideas?? A picture of a 283 with the senders would be greatly appreciated....

FRENCHBLUE72 · 09-01-2009, 11:41 PM

First off id replace that nylon with copper and call it a day. As far as the water temp guage between plugs 1 and 3(the 1st 2 on drivers side0 there should be a plug in the head and on the passenger between plugs 6 and eight( back 2 cylinders0 there should be a plug..

Legolas894 · 09-02-2009, 06:43 AM

Thanks-I can't see anything between plugs 1 and 2. I'll check the back of the other side today.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 09-02-2009, 09:06 AM

I guess I should have said that is on a 350 id assume the 283 heads were the same.. If not you maybe able to locate the temp senor in the inrake manifold.

Legolas894 · 09-07-2009, 06:27 PM

I took FrenchBlue72's advice and installed a copper line for the oil pressure port to gauge. I kept the old sender and installed a tee. See my pictures below:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361549

geezer#99 · 09-07-2009, 08:04 PM

Checked the pics. Not the best place to get an accurate temperature reading. That's on the return after the thermostat. Might not show any temp till thermstat opens. If no other spot it's better than nothing. Good to use a copper line for oil gauge.

Legolas894 · 09-07-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Checked the pics. Not the best place to get an accurate temperature reading. That's on the return after the thermostat. Might not show any temp till thermstat opens. If no other spot it's better than nothing. Good to use a copper line for oil gauge.

Yes-That's my problem-Only place to put it for now.

09-01-2009, 09:39 PM	#1
Legolas894 Chemist under the hood... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fort Erie,ON, Canada Posts: 617	Installing gauges on the 283 I'm tired of the idiot lights and don't have the money for a new dash with gauges. I bought a Sunpro Trio (Volts/Temp/Press). I think the temp and press are mechanical. Instructions are almost useless. I have found the pressure "switch" on the top of the engine at the back next to the distributor. I assume you take the switch out and then put in the nylon oil line that runs to the oil pressure gauge. On my 283, I can't find anywhere where the temperature sender would be. My idiot light wasn't hooked up when I bought it. There was a broken gauge sender in the water outlet so I bought a new switch for that location. Post on here say there should be a spot near the spark plugs where the idiot light sender was supposed to be-I can't see anything there. I dont' really want to put the temperature sender in the outlet pipe since it's on the other side of the thermostat. Any ideas?? A picture of a 283 with the senders would be greatly appreciated.... __________________ Current fleet: 2013 GMC Sierra, 5.3L, 4x4 1988 GMC Sierra, 305, Auto 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 360 V8 1997 VW Cabrio, 2.0L 2017 Toyota Rav4, 2.5L Stuff I wish I still had: 2013 Toyota Matrix [RIP] 1967 GMC 910 Fleetside, 283 V8 [1st Love-SOLD] 1987 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4X4, 4.0 I-6 [SOLD} 1994 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, 5.7LV8 [SOLD] 1995 Chevrolet Astro AWD, 4.3L V6 (RIP) 1998 Chevrolet Suburban 4x4, 5.7L V8 [SOLD]

09-01-2009, 11:41 PM	#2
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Re: Installing gauges on the 283 First off id replace that nylon with copper and call it a day. As far as the water temp guage between plugs 1 and 3(the 1st 2 on drivers side0 there should be a plug in the head and on the passenger between plugs 6 and eight( back 2 cylinders0 there should be a plug.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

09-02-2009, 06:43 AM	#3
Legolas894 Chemist under the hood... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fort Erie,ON, Canada Posts: 617	Re: Installing gauges on the 283 Thanks-I can't see anything between plugs 1 and 2. I'll check the back of the other side today. __________________ Current fleet: 2013 GMC Sierra, 5.3L, 4x4 1988 GMC Sierra, 305, Auto 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 360 V8 1997 VW Cabrio, 2.0L 2017 Toyota Rav4, 2.5L Stuff I wish I still had: 2013 Toyota Matrix [RIP] 1967 GMC 910 Fleetside, 283 V8 [1st Love-SOLD] 1987 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4X4, 4.0 I-6 [SOLD} 1994 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, 5.7LV8 [SOLD] 1995 Chevrolet Astro AWD, 4.3L V6 (RIP) 1998 Chevrolet Suburban 4x4, 5.7L V8 [SOLD]

09-02-2009, 09:06 AM	#4
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Re: Installing gauges on the 283 I guess I should have said that is on a 350 id assume the 283 heads were the same.. If not you maybe able to locate the temp senor in the inrake manifold. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

09-07-2009, 06:27 PM	#5
Legolas894 Chemist under the hood... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fort Erie,ON, Canada Posts: 617	Re: Installing gauges on the 283 I took FrenchBlue72's advice and installed a copper line for the oil pressure port to gauge. I kept the old sender and installed a tee. See my pictures below: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361549 __________________ Current fleet: 2013 GMC Sierra, 5.3L, 4x4 1988 GMC Sierra, 305, Auto 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 360 V8 1997 VW Cabrio, 2.0L 2017 Toyota Rav4, 2.5L Stuff I wish I still had: 2013 Toyota Matrix [RIP] 1967 GMC 910 Fleetside, 283 V8 [1st Love-SOLD] 1987 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4X4, 4.0 I-6 [SOLD} 1994 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, 5.7LV8 [SOLD] 1995 Chevrolet Astro AWD, 4.3L V6 (RIP) 1998 Chevrolet Suburban 4x4, 5.7L V8 [SOLD]

09-07-2009, 08:04 PM	#6
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,731	Re: Installing gauges on the 283 Checked the pics. Not the best place to get an accurate temperature reading. That's on the return after the thermostat. Might not show any temp till thermstat opens. If no other spot it's better than nothing. Good to use a copper line for oil gauge.

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