temp sender for vortec - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nate68 · 03-25-2002, 09:55 PM

what temp sender do i use in the head with vortec heads that will work with my temp guage? the thread is a different size than normal small block heads (i cant think of it off the top of my head) i cant put the temp sender in the manifold cuz it will interfere with my radiator hose.

Blazer1970 · 03-26-2002, 09:41 AM

I have never been able to find one that has the same resistance as the stock sender. I used the closest one I could find, and added a big wirewound resistor to the back of the gauge to correct the gauge. I have details somewhere, but not at hand right now.

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Tim

Mixup · 03-26-2002, 10:06 AM

I have Autometer gauges and had no problem with the sender. The hole is smaller then regular heads so I didn't have to use an adaptor.

HuggerCST · 03-26-2002, 10:32 AM

You could use an adapter, or a thermostat housing that has a hole for it. It wouldn't be in the head, but it is an option.

tom hand · 03-26-2002, 10:55 AM

You could use regular pipe fittings from a hardware store. You would need a reduction coupleing and a close nipple. It would not be pretty but if you put it on the passager side it would be in the back and not as noticeable.

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72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail
Olive Branch MS

rustfree · 03-26-2002, 03:54 PM

had the same problem with my heads/temp sender and the lack of clearance under rad. hose so had my machinist buddy cut out a 1/2" aluminum spacer (used gasket as template) for under the hose connection on intake. Works slick and matches the polished manifold too!

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72 swb cheyenne super 350/350
69 cst20 BB longhorn

Custom 68 · 03-26-2002, 05:42 PM

Mine is not a Vortec but I have mine in the water neck on the intake. Is there any disadvantages to doing this is the output good? My truck always runs VERY cool according to my gage. I dont seem to have anyother place to put it. The ones under the upper radiator hose are well under the radiator hose and wont fit.

SoCal71K20 · 03-27-2002, 12:56 AM

nate68,yeah I too am having the same problem.
Our old heads were tapped 1/2 inch pipe thread and the vortecs have a 3/8 inch pipe
threaded hole.I have no clearance for temp.
send unit and reducing fitting since I'm
running headers.Be nice to find 3/8 temp.
send unit to work with stock gage.Blazer
1970,how did you do that again?

Ron's68 · 03-27-2002, 04:29 AM

I used one from an 87 chevy. It works fine. I just went to kragens and they found it for me. It is from a 87 truck or camaro. Hope this helps.

------------------
68 LWB, .040 over 350 with 10:1 pistons, balanced, vortec heads,comp 270H cam, air gap RPM manifold, holley 750, and gear drive to annoy the neighbors.

SoCal71K20 · 03-27-2002, 10:57 AM

Ron's68, are you using that sending unit with stock type temp. gage?

Ron's68 · 03-28-2002, 12:16 AM

yep. And it seems to run in the same temp range as the one I had in my stock heads.

------------------
68 LWB, .040 over 350 with 10:1 pistons, balanced, vortec heads,comp 270H cam, air gap RPM manifold, holley 750, and gear drive to annoy the neighbors.

nate68 · 03-28-2002, 04:03 AM

i'm usin one from like an 88 vette, says its running cooler than before. of course it takes longer for it to warm up with these heads. one of the disadvantages of vortecs, also guideplates dont fit with stock style valve covers.

03-25-2002, 09:55 PM	#1
nate68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: ca Posts: 1,110	temp sender for vortec what temp sender do i use in the head with vortec heads that will work with my temp guage? the thread is a different size than normal small block heads (i cant think of it off the top of my head) i cant put the temp sender in the manifold cuz it will interfere with my radiator hose. __________________ 68 short step, 406/700r4, 9" w/discs.

03-26-2002, 09:41 AM	#2
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	I have never been able to find one that has the same resistance as the stock sender. I used the closest one I could find, and added a big wirewound resistor to the back of the gauge to correct the gauge. I have details somewhere, but not at hand right now. ------------------ Tim __________________ Tim

03-26-2002, 10:06 AM	#3
Mixup Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 358	I have Autometer gauges and had no problem with the sender. The hole is smaller then regular heads so I didn't have to use an adaptor. __________________ 1980 Chevy Shortbed Pickup 1969 Z28 engine Turbo 350

03-26-2002, 10:32 AM	#4
HuggerCST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 4,501	You could use an adapter, or a thermostat housing that has a hole for it. It wouldn't be in the head, but it is an option. __________________ Wynne 70 CST short fleet Hugger orange & white, 350/350, ps, pb, air, tilt, tach/vac/speedwarning, original buckets, AM/FM, oak bed floor, shoulder belts, 3.5"/5.5" drop, 20" American Racing VN425s. Build thread 53 Chevy shortbed 69 Camaro Click here to subscribe Chevy GMC International Truck Club Louisiana Charter Member http://www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com

03-26-2002, 10:55 AM	#5
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	You could use regular pipe fittings from a hardware store. You would need a reduction coupleing and a close nipple. It would not be pretty but if you put it on the passager side it would be in the back and not as noticeable. ------------------ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

03-26-2002, 03:54 PM	#6
rustfree Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Warren, OR , USA Posts: 166	had the same problem with my heads/temp sender and the lack of clearance under rad. hose so had my machinist buddy cut out a 1/2" aluminum spacer (used gasket as template) for under the hose connection on intake. Works slick and matches the polished manifold too! ------------------ 72 swb cheyenne super 350/350 69 cst20 BB longhorn __________________ 72 swb cheyenne super 350/350 69 cst20 BB longhorn Warren, OR

03-26-2002, 05:42 PM	#7
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,939	Mine is not a Vortec but I have mine in the water neck on the intake. Is there any disadvantages to doing this is the output good? My truck always runs VERY cool according to my gage. I dont seem to have anyother place to put it. The ones under the upper radiator hose are well under the radiator hose and wont fit. __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

03-27-2002, 12:56 AM	#8
SoCal71K20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lemon Grove, California Posts: 152	nate68,yeah I too am having the same problem. Our old heads were tapped 1/2 inch pipe thread and the vortecs have a 3/8 inch pipe threaded hole.I have no clearance for temp. send unit and reducing fitting since I'm running headers.Be nice to find 3/8 temp. send unit to work with stock gage.Blazer 1970,how did you do that again?

03-27-2002, 04:29 AM	#9
Ron's68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Modesto, ca Posts: 143	I used one from an 87 chevy. It works fine. I just went to kragens and they found it for me. It is from a 87 truck or camaro. Hope this helps. ------------------ 68 LWB, .040 over 350 with 10:1 pistons, balanced, vortec heads,comp 270H cam, air gap RPM manifold, holley 750, and gear drive to annoy the neighbors. __________________ 68 LWB, .040 over 350 with 10:1 pistons, balanced, vortec heads,comp 270H cam, air gap RPM manifold, holley 750, 4.10 posi and gear drive to annoy the neighbors.

03-27-2002, 10:57 AM	#10
SoCal71K20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lemon Grove, California Posts: 152	Ron's68, are you using that sending unit with stock type temp. gage?

03-28-2002, 12:16 AM	#11
Ron's68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Modesto, ca Posts: 143	yep. And it seems to run in the same temp range as the one I had in my stock heads. ------------------ 68 LWB, .040 over 350 with 10:1 pistons, balanced, vortec heads,comp 270H cam, air gap RPM manifold, holley 750, and gear drive to annoy the neighbors. __________________ 68 LWB, .040 over 350 with 10:1 pistons, balanced, vortec heads,comp 270H cam, air gap RPM manifold, holley 750, 4.10 posi and gear drive to annoy the neighbors.

03-28-2002, 04:03 AM	#12
nate68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: ca Posts: 1,110	i'm usin one from like an 88 vette, says its running cooler than before. of course it takes longer for it to warm up with these heads. one of the disadvantages of vortecs, also guideplates dont fit with stock style valve covers. __________________ 68 short step, 406/700r4, 9" w/discs.



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