My New Gauges Installed with Pics

[Legolas894]

Too a bit of McGivering to get it all in but they do work. It's the first time I've put these in. I kept the stock oil pressure switch for idiot lights which is why I needed to tee off from the original location. I still don't like where the temperature sender is (in the water outlet) but I can't find anywhere else to stick it.

Gauge pictures were taken at idle showing about 25PSI oil pressure, 14.5V and 190 F after about a 15minute drive. During normal driving, volts were the same but oil pressure was around 40-45 and temperature around 160F.

If you spot anything you don't like let me know

When I had it all apart, I noticed a weird port coming off right behind where the oil pressure switch was located. Any idea what it is?

[FLDBRED]

Good job!Thanks for sharing!

[KEL]

like where you put them
no new holes or anything

[Legolas894]

Thanks-I've got to sort out the wires but that's a perfect spot for them right under the heater controls. The edge of the gauge bracket sits under the heater control so when I tightened the two screws, it holds it fine.

[Mike Quillici]

I'd love to know where you found the hardware for the T in the oil pressure line as well as which parts you used. I can't find 1/8-inch fittings anywhere. Thanks.

[Legolas894]

Originally Posted by Mike Quillici

I'd love to know where you found the hardware for the T in the oil pressure line as well as which parts you used. I can't find 1/8-inch fittings anywhere. Thanks.

I got the fittings in the plumbing section our our local Home Hardware. I'm sure Home Depot or an autoparts store (NAPA) would have them.

I was at a place called Parts Source on Saturday and they had a whole section of 1/8 and 1/4" fittings, plugs, tees etc.

I'm in Canada so not sure what stores you have down there.

[Mike Quillici]

Cool. I was under the impression that it was a compression fitting T, but I guess it's actually NPT. My plan is to hook up the Sunpro gauge while not disconnecting my stock gauge. Thanks!

[smoked68]

Wheres the best place to put the heat temp? I always have had mine in the head. Wouldnt that be a better indicator of engine heat than coming off the radiator? I dont know, just asking.

[Shyguy]

If I remember right the temperature sending units are in the heads from the factory. If I put one in the radiator I would still put one on the engine.

I think there is a place on the intake that a sending unit can be put also, but I am not sure where on a 350. My son put one on the front of the intake on the 402 he just built.

Danny

[ERASER5]

The driver side head has the factory temp sender. On the passenger side, there is a temp switch for the Transmission Spark Control system. Most have disconnected the TSC. Usually, most the parts are gone too. I would recommend removing the temp switch from the passenger side head and installing your new sensor there.

FYI. The original TSC temp switch was set to be grounded (closed) at 33 degrees F so that the motor had to be warmer than freezing before the vacuum advance would engage as well at the trans had to be in top gear (that funny switch on the trans that seems to serve no purpose). A relay turned on when conditions were met and triggered a switch that opened the vacuum line to the vacuum advance unit.

Class dismissed.

[Legolas894]

Problem was that on my engine, there was no other port in the intake manifold or head to put the temp sender so it had to go in the water outlet. I'm going to change the intake manifold as my bolts are stripped on the water outlet. The newer manifolds have a port for the temp senders. I'll probably keep the idiot light (temp switch) for the outlet and the gauge will go on the manifold.

As for the fittings, they were all NPT (not compression). I threw out the plastic oil pressure line that came with the gauges and used copper tube. Still working great.