Can someone tell me what diameter the threaded part of the coolant temp sensor is in a 223? Bonus points for the thread pattern.

I'd get in there with calipers, but I never know if what they call it is an actual measurement, or some approximation (like 2x4 lumber is actually 1.5x3.5).

I need to buy a coupler for a different temp sensor.

Thanks.

Larry

 

I can't help you with diameter, but I had to buy an adapter kit to adapt to mechanical gauges and local O'Riley's had it in stock...came with a hand full of adapters. Hope this helps a little?

 

It is NPT and I think 3/8. Possibly 5/16

 

B7A-10884-A .. Temperature Sensor ~ 1/4" -18 (Motorcraft SW-343) / Obsolete

Applications: 1957/62 F100/950 all I-6's & V8's / 1957/59 Ford Passenger Car & Thunderbird all I-6's & V8's.

 

Thanks guys. I'll check O'Reilly's. If that doesn't work, I may order from here:
McMaster-Carr

 

I never thought of M-C. They have just about anything and everything.

 

Done. I got the adapters I needed out of the plumbing section of the local hardware store.

FYI, the stock temp sensor, though it's called "1/4", measures about half an inch. The temp gauge and EFI sensors that I installed, though they measure 5/8, are called "3/8". I think I knew that 20 years ago.

 

I've never been able to make sense of the whole NPT thing.

 

Me either, thats why I decided to be a rocket scientist rather than a plumber even if they do make more money And all the late model stuff with metric fittings I'm too old school to learn new tricks.

 

FYI NPT refers to National Pipe Thread, where the sealing action is accomplished in the threads. They're tapered and the more you turn them down the tighter you can get the seal. You typically would rely on compound or Teflon tape to assist the seal.
Metric, G threads, or compression fittings rely on seats or seals like O-rings for sealing action.
More useless information I am able to impart.

 

Scroll down to 10911 Temperature Sender Adapters. All 3 are available NOS

 

This is all well and good but I am confused and the question has not been answered. Please educate me. I need to replace the temp sender on my 1960 f100. The unit appears to have a 3/8" diameter. The stock sender is "1/4 NPT" which is actually 1/2". So, How does a stock sender with a 1/2" diameter thread fit into a 3/8" hole? My 223/6 engine appears to be stock with a stock hole and stock sender. Does everyone drill out and retap their heads?

 

Pipe is measured by the inside diameter. That is how flow can be predicted when designing a plumbing project and it is a standard. You are getting the 1/2" inch measurement by including the thickness of the pipe wall, 1/8" on both sides added to the inside diameter of 1/4". Go to the hardware store and pick up a couple of 1/4" fittings and measure across them, the lights should start to come on! LOL

 

Thanks. I needed a laugh today. .

 

Thank you. Lots to learn here.