Water temp probe woes

[unity_neil]

Hi,

In my other thread (bagged '52 3100 journeys across the pond) you can see I've swapped the original stovebolt for a small block. this leaves me with a single remaining issue, how to adapt the standard temp gauge probe to fit the SBC? simply screwing it in results in water pouring through the hole in the middle where the capilliary goes through as there is no flange in the SBC block or inlet for the probe to mate up with.

can anyone help and suggest a way I can get this working? has anyone else got a SBC with the original temp gauge?

TIA

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'm not sure I understand your question/problem as you say the temperature sending unit DOES screw into the block. All that comes to mind is this "temperature guage reducer fitting" in the lower lefthand corner:

http://www.truckandcarshop.com/trucks47_59/t47_072.html

Which installs with the temperature guage sending unit immediately above it. I have both of these parts brand new waiting for me to install them this weekend (hopefully). But this is an electrical guage on my '55 2nd series. Is yours mechanical? Meaning is it a little tube with water in it that goes all the way to the guage, ala the '41-'46 trucks like THIS one second from the top in the upper righthand corner?

http://www.truckandcarshop.com/trucks47_59/t47_029.html

If so, it seems all you should have to do is find a brass fitting with female threads to engage with the (likely) brass fitting with external threads you already have?

[unity_neil]

what I have is part no 8 in here: http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ca/full.aspx?Page=65

so the brass fitting has a hole in for the capilliary (or pipe) from the probe to the gauge to go through. the probe has a collar around it which seals against a shelf in the head of the stovebolt motor.

The SBC hole seems to be the right size for the fitting to screw in but has no sealing ledge hence the water leak

[BigDan3131]

So you have the brass reducer installed right? Then when you put the probe in it leaks, correct? Teflon Tape is your answer, wrap it in the same direction your turning to tighten it.

[99 to Life]

I wanted to do the same thing. Upon reading, don't recall from what. But the temp senders back then are different from todays not only in collar size but the gases inside of the sender aka probe. But if your is all intack I don't see why you couldn't adapt that into the sbc. I understand what you are saying in that there is not enough lip on it to seal. I'd try a reducer and teflon, if that does not work, maybe try a rubber washer and washer if you can find one that is exactly the same size as your probe, and put them on it and tighten it down into the reducer, just a thought.

I wanted to adapt a modern sender with copper wire the OG gauge, but just never tried yet. I think that way would be better

I went with hidden aftermarket gauges because they are far more accurate. But I was in your shoes before.