My dumb engine temp sender ? for the day - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Yukon Jack** · 02-11-2003, 12:12 PM

The 1989 454 I am installing in the 69 of course has the wrong style temp sending unit - I went to a GM parts at a local dealer yesterday to try to get a sending unit for the 69 and he says that part is discontinued. All he could get was a sending unit for like a 73-78 engine. He was going to have to special order it - go figure!

My guess is the size and thread of the temp sending unit hasn't changed regardless of wheather it's a big or small block or a 69 block or a mid 70's block - BUT does any one know for sure?

Tynee · 02-11-2003, 02:14 PM

I would definitely find out before you order ( if you haven't already). I ordered a seat belt for the wife's car thinking that if I found one at a junkyard, I'd just return the one I ordered. Didn't think about the restocking fee they wanted to charge. I wound up just putting the new one in instead of the J.Y. one. They wanted that much to return the new one.

Blazer1970 · 02-11-2003, 02:37 PM

I am not sure about BB heads, but on small blocks the old heads had 1/2 NPT taps for the senders, and on the new stuff (Vortec heads for sure), it is 3/8 NPT. I think they changed to 3/8 long before the Vortec engines, but I am not sure what year.

Fred T · 02-11-2003, 06:58 PM

Yukon, if you don't get your answer here try a local mom & pop parts store. they can tell you.

Earl Junior · 02-11-2003, 07:02 PM

That is really odd.

I bought a 1968 Chev 327 sending unit not three days ago. It threaded right into my 1974 Cadillac 500.

I bought it from Schucks no less. I'd check somewhere else for the part.

**68 Stepside** · 02-11-2003, 08:00 PM

Yeah, any discount place should have a temp sender for it. But as stated, I'd check your thread size. If the hole is smaller, there's a temp sender that's in some Volvo cars that will work perfect, someone will know what part number it is.

T

Mike C · 02-11-2003, 10:12 PM

Just about any of the board vendors should be able to hook you up with the right sender. You may have to put it in the intake instead of the head. If you can get the specs on the sender (service manual should have the range to test it) you might be able to use the newer one or an aftermarket gauge one.

02-11-2003, 12:12 PM	#1
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	My dumb engine temp sender ? for the day The 1989 454 I am installing in the 69 of course has the wrong style temp sending unit - I went to a GM parts at a local dealer yesterday to try to get a sending unit for the 69 and he says that part is discontinued. All he could get was a sending unit for like a 73-78 engine. He was going to have to special order it - go figure! My guess is the size and thread of the temp sending unit hasn't changed regardless of wheather it's a big or small block or a 69 block or a mid 70's block - BUT does any one know for sure? __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

02-11-2003, 02:14 PM	#2
Tynee I miss this truck. Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington, KY U.S.A. Posts: 2,863	I would definitely find out before you order ( if you haven't already). I ordered a seat belt for the wife's car thinking that if I found one at a junkyard, I'd just return the one I ordered. Didn't think about the restocking fee they wanted to charge. I wound up just putting the new one in instead of the J.Y. one. They wanted that much to return the new one. __________________ '07 GMC Acadia SLT. Sweet ride. '08 Crew Cab Z-71 short bed. Really like this truck A LOT.

02-11-2003, 02:37 PM	#3
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	I am not sure about BB heads, but on small blocks the old heads had 1/2 NPT taps for the senders, and on the new stuff (Vortec heads for sure), it is 3/8 NPT. I think they changed to 3/8 long before the Vortec engines, but I am not sure what year. __________________ Tim

02-11-2003, 06:58 PM	#4
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Yukon, if you don't get your answer here try a local mom & pop parts store. they can tell you. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

02-11-2003, 07:02 PM	#5
Earl Junior Cadillac power Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North Idaho Posts: 296	That is really odd. I bought a 1968 Chev 327 sending unit not three days ago. It threaded right into my 1974 Cadillac 500. I bought it from Schucks no less. I'd check somewhere else for the part. __________________ Just for the record, if I'm down to my last potato, I'm not sharing it with a guy who wants to kill me so he can get a better supply of virgins in paradise. That lesson is a little thing I call Economics 101, infidel style. --Scott Adams author of Dilbert

02-11-2003, 08:00 PM	#6
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	Yeah, any discount place should have a temp sender for it. But as stated, I'd check your thread size. If the hole is smaller, there's a temp sender that's in some Volvo cars that will work perfect, someone will know what part number it is. T __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

02-11-2003, 10:12 PM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,728	Just about any of the board vendors should be able to hook you up with the right sender. You may have to put it in the intake instead of the head. If you can get the specs on the sender (service manual should have the range to test it) you might be able to use the newer one or an aftermarket gauge one. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax



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