How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Buford · 06-05-2010, 08:05 PM

I just bought a mechanical water temperature gauge and would like to continue to use the stock gauge and the machanical gauge. The only place I saw for the sensor was where the stock one is located by the exhaust manifold. Is there another location that will work for the mechanical temp. gauge too or do I have to disconnect the stock gauge?

Thanks!
Aaron

**El Jay** · 06-05-2010, 08:43 PM

There should be a twin locations diagonally across the engine from each other, in the heads.

That would be between #1 & #3, and #6 & #8 spark plugs on a SB; & above #2 & #6 spark plugs on a BB; IIRC.

raycow · 06-05-2010, 09:38 PM

Don't you have any ports in the intake manifold?

Ray

petey-pablo · 06-06-2010, 01:32 AM

x2 ^ intake manifold I've heard this is the best place for the temp.

Buford · 06-06-2010, 01:42 AM

Cool, I'll look on the intake. Does anyone know where on the intake it's located? This is my first chevy, I know on my fords they use to have a spot on the thermostate housing.

Thanks,
Aaron

raycow · 06-06-2010, 02:20 AM

Start at the thermostat housing and follow the water passage out to each head. Most OE manifolds will have a temp gauge port on the driver side and a heater connection on the passenger side. If you aren't running a heater you can use the heater port for an aftermarket gauge. The heater port is normally too small for an OE sender, but you can open it up with a 1/2" NPT tap if necessary.

Some aftermarket manifolds will also have tapped holes over the rear water ports in the heads. These aren't the best location for a gauge, but you can move your heater line there to free up the front hole and the heater will still work just fine.

Ray

Buford · 06-06-2010, 03:15 PM

I noticed that the water pump has two plugs that are screwed into the top and the passenger side. Can I move my heater hose to the water pump and then use the intake for the temp. sensor? Or can i run my temp sensor in the water pump? Thanks for all the help, this is a great forum!

Aaron

Shyguy · 06-06-2010, 06:37 PM

I am a little confused, but that is nothing usual for me at times, lol.

The stock location for the temperature sending units are on the engine heads, not the exhaust manifold. Should be one on each head.

Some water necks are available with a place for a temperature sending unit.

Danny

Buford · 06-06-2010, 11:27 PM

I ended up installing it where the original sending unit was located. I will install the stock one in the water pump when I get buy the adaptor. I did find the other water jacket on the head between 6 & 8 cyclinders, but it wasn't breaking with the breaker bar so I decided that it wasn't worth breaking.

Thanks All!

**El Jay** · 06-07-2010, 12:18 AM

If you put a temperature sender in the water pump, you'll be reading the temperature of the water going to the engine, not the water in, or coming from the engine.

06-06-2010, 01:32 AM	#4
petey-pablo "THE GREEN GOBLIN" Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fremont Ca. Posts: 1,025	Re: How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. x2 ^ intake manifold I've heard this is the best place for the temp. __________________ Petey-pablo "THE GREEN GOBLIN" 1972 Cheyenne 10 Short Fleet Side Front 2.5inch Spindles with 2inch Springs Rear 4inch drop Springs. 454BBC TH400,Posi 1971 Cheyenne 10 Long Fleet Side 454BBC TH350,Posi Sold Drive it like you stole it! Petey-pablo@sbcglobal.net

06-06-2010, 01:42 AM	#5
Buford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 27	Re: How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. Cool, I'll look on the intake. Does anyone know where on the intake it's located? This is my first chevy, I know on my fords they use to have a spot on the thermostate housing. Thanks, Aaron __________________ Buford - 1971 3/4 ton, Custom Camper, 350 Th, 350 SBC.

06-06-2010, 03:15 PM	#7
Buford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 27	Re: How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. I noticed that the water pump has two plugs that are screwed into the top and the passenger side. Can I move my heater hose to the water pump and then use the intake for the temp. sensor? Or can i run my temp sensor in the water pump? Thanks for all the help, this is a great forum! Aaron __________________ Buford - 1971 3/4 ton, Custom Camper, 350 Th, 350 SBC.

06-06-2010, 11:27 PM	#9
Buford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 27	Re: How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. I ended up installing it where the original sending unit was located. I will install the stock one in the water pump when I get buy the adaptor. I did find the other water jacket on the head between 6 & 8 cyclinders, but it wasn't breaking with the breaker bar so I decided that it wasn't worth breaking. Thanks All! __________________ Buford - 1971 3/4 ton, Custom Camper, 350 Th, 350 SBC.

06-07-2010, 12:18 AM	#10
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. If you put a temperature sender in the water pump, you'll be reading the temperature of the water going to the engine, not the water in, or coming from the engine. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck

06-05-2010, 08:05 PM	#1
Buford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 27	How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. I just bought a mechanical water temperature gauge and would like to continue to use the stock gauge and the machanical gauge. The only place I saw for the sensor was where the stock one is located by the exhaust manifold. Is there another location that will work for the mechanical temp. gauge too or do I have to disconnect the stock gauge? Thanks! Aaron __________________ Buford - 1971 3/4 ton, Custom Camper, 350 Th, 350 SBC.

06-05-2010, 08:43 PM	#2
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. There should be a twin locations diagonally across the engine from each other, in the heads. That would be between #1 & #3, and #6 & #8 spark plugs on a SB; & above #2 & #6 spark plugs on a BB; IIRC. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck Last edited by El Jay; 06-06-2010 at 07:24 PM.

06-05-2010, 09:38 PM	#3
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. Don't you have any ports in the intake manifold? Ray

06-06-2010, 02:20 AM	#6
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. Start at the thermostat housing and follow the water passage out to each head. Most OE manifolds will have a temp gauge port on the driver side and a heater connection on the passenger side. If you aren't running a heater you can use the heater port for an aftermarket gauge. The heater port is normally too small for an OE sender, but you can open it up with a 1/2" NPT tap if necessary. Some aftermarket manifolds will also have tapped holes over the rear water ports in the heads. These aren't the best location for a gauge, but you can move your heater line there to free up the front hole and the heater will still work just fine. Ray Last edited by raycow; 06-06-2010 at 02:33 AM.

06-06-2010, 06:37 PM	#8
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: How to connect the original and mechanical temperature gauges. I am a little confused, but that is nothing usual for me at times, lol. The stock location for the temperature sending units are on the engine heads, not the exhaust manifold. Should be one on each head. Some water necks are available with a place for a temperature sending unit. Danny __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

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