Temp gauge questions

[WadmalawJoe]

I have read through several postings on the gauge and problems. I think I have a different question. The PO removed the old sensor and wire and installed a aftermarket gauge attached below the dash. My main question is once I put a new sensor in, where does the wire go to?

Here is the back of the gauge, everything looks ok there, I think;


jeepers, is the picture big enough? lol

Looking my wiring over I discovered something else. I think my dash cluster maybe out of a 67 (my truck is a 69) The first picture you can barely see the 67 in the circled part, but you can see it in the second picture. Maybe, its just part numbers, but it seems odd to me.

[502ms]

My truck is a 72, the cab has that flat plug, the 67 has the curved plug. I know because we were going to swap columns and the 67 column was curved plug wise.
Posted via Mobile Device

[VetteVet]

This is the wiring on the gauge cluster plug. The left column is 1 through 6 and the right column is 7 through 12. So the temp wire is on no. 6.
1 and 12 are the battery gauge wires.

[WadmalawJoe]

Originally Posted by 502ms

My truck is a 72, the cab has that flat plug, the 67 has the curved plug. I know because we were going to swap columns and the 67 column was curved plug wise.
Posted via Mobile Device

So that's some kind of adapter to connect the curved to the flat plug.
The motor is actually a 72, so they have taken parts and modified them.
Posted via Mobile Device

[WadmalawJoe]

Originally Posted by VetteVet

This is the wiring on the gauge cluster plug. The left column is 1 through 6 and the right column is 7 through 12. So the temp wire is on no. 6.
1 and 12 are the battery gauge wires.


Attachment 1100494

So I need to dig around up behind my dash and find the 12 pin plug and run my sensor wire to it?
Posted via Mobile Device

[VetteVet]

Yes the plug should have the numbers on it.

[WadmalawJoe]

Thanks VetteVet!!!

I found it, it was simple, just a plug into the back of the cluster.
I also disassembled my dash/cluster, cleaned it, painted tins gloss white and switched to 168 bulbs, trimmed the end of the optic cable to the shift indicator and it works!! I am very pleased
I need to take a night picture with it all lit up, the day picture doesn't do it justice so I'm not posting it.

I had picked up the temp sensor from Napa $8.95. It is 3/4 size thread and the sensor ports on both heads is a 1/2". I either have different heads or Napa had the sensor wrong? I put it in the intake port, right next to the thermostat location. My gauge reads around the 1/2 and 3/4 way area, once its good and warmed up. Also, the PO had put a 160 degree thermostat in!! No wonder the engine never got all that hot, I switched it out for the 190. He even had put a 4 core radiator in (no A/C). I'm not sure why the low thermostat?

Anyone know what size their sensor port/hole is? My truck has a 72 350 in it.

Also, any ideas on the low thermostat? He must have had a temperature problem with it or was scared of it getting hot or maybe thought, the cooler the better??

[MikeyMan]

What was the part number of your NAPA temp sensor?

The holes in the cylinder heads are 1/2"
I have a mechanical (bulb type) sensor for an aftermarket temp gauge in my DS head.
My PS head has a plug in it that I cannot get to bust loose.
I have a 3/8" port in the intake that I would like to put a sensor in to operate the factory stock temp gauge.

[WadmalawJoe]

The Napa part number was MPE TS6469SB. It is 3/4 inch thread though. I have an edelbrock intake, which happened to have that size hole right next to the thermostat.