Mechanical temp sensor

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by 72skylarkconvt, May 20, 2019.

  1. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    I bought some gauges to see my oil and temp readings, not depending on dummy lights. How long is the temp probe on the factory. Everything I found to buy says 2", so I assume that will fit my car?
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Not very long at all. It looks like this,

    TempSensor.JPG

    Depending on the gauge sensor, you may or may not need a conversion fitting. The opening on the front of the intake is 1/2 NPT. One side of the factory intake is deeper than the other.
     
  3. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    Hell I don't know if it is to long or now. Will Try to install tonight and see then.
     
  4. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    I guess when I put this in I should be able to tighten it down it not be bottoming out on metal inside the intake. I assume if it does not fit I can not gently grind down the tip to make it fit? They are cheap just buy the correct one if that is to be the case. :)
     
  5. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    Hell I don't know if it is to long or now. Will Try to install tonight and see then.
     
  6. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    If it is too long could I put in washers to lift it up some?
     
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    I would not grind anything, and it is pipe thread, so washers might interfere with sealing. I don't think you will have a problem. If you look carefully at the stock intake, there are two front openings. One is deeper than the other, look carefully. What I did to use the deeper one is swap the stock sender to the other side. Not a big deal to do. Is your gauge set mechanical or electrical?
     
  8. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    It is mechanical. The only sensor devices I see at the front od intake (frwrd side of air filter) is what looks like a water temp on pass side and is a vacuum sensor on the other.
     
  9. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    I have the 350 2 barrel carb mind you.
     
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    That's correct, and you will need to lose one of them because the temperature sensor has to go in one of those holes. I'd lose the thermovacuum switch. It is part of the TCS, Transmission controlled Spark System, an emissions device. You don't need it.

    Doesn't matter.
     
  11. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    If I take out the TCS then I have to run the vac advance from distrib directly to the port on the front left of the carb? If I recall the vac advance from distrib goes to the TCS then to the carb.
     
  12. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    stupid question but there is not water the gauge is going into, just reading temp from heat in intake?
     
  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Correct, if the TCS is working, it is interrupting vacuum to the distributor in 1st and 2nd gear. You want full time vacuum advance.

    The gauge needs to go into coolant. It reads the temperature of the coolant.
     
  14. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Do you still have the factory distributor, part number 1112109?
     
  15. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    I will assume the distrib is factory. No I have not checked the part number given here but based on the originality of the motor, the car as a whole, it prob is orig.
    Is the TCS location in fluid then? If I read the prev posts correctly I can put my mechanical temp sensor there.
    If I bypass the TCS what do I do with the electrical connection that is on it?
     
  16. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Unless you have owned the car since new, I would not assume anything. It isn't like it is hard to see. I would look, it's important.

    Yes, both those holes at the front of the intake go into coolant. Yes, you can put your gauge sensor there. Just tape up the electrical connector and tuck it away.
     
  17. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    The car has been in one fam (brother, then sister for the last 4 years, since 82'ish) I have been told no work done to motor. I will look for part number. Where is it, front, side, under it? Why so important?
     
  18. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    Sorry I know I have another thread similar to this thread now. This started as a temp sensor question and went where it has. Sorry.
     
  19. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    It's right on the circumference of the distributor right at the cap parting line. Should be readily visible, easy to see. That 1112109 only has 12-16* of mechanical advance. If you have it timed at 4*BTDC as per the specs, you only have 16-20* of WOT advance when you want 32* for best power. The engine will run much better with more initial advance, 12-14* is usually best.

    It's your thread, it can go wherever you want it to, no worries.
     
  20. 72skylarkconvt

    72skylarkconvt Well-Known Member

    when I put in the temp sensor do I need to put something like the white thread tape on the threads to ensure a good seal or just run the fitting in snug?
     

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