So I finally got around to installing an actual coolant temperature gauge in my 1996 F-150.

I got a brass T-Fitting with two 5/8" barbs from Lowes and got a Sunpro Electric Temp gauge from Autozone. I cut one of the heater core hoses, hooked them into the T-Fitting and put the sending unit in. Perfect.

Hooked up the gauge and she worked right away. Now here is my next question. After about 25 minutes of idling in my garage (door open obviously) the temperature rose and settled at about 220F. Didn't go up, didn't go down. I have a 195F thermostat which from what I understand is the OEM temp. It was idling and the fan was on, so it wasn't spinning all that fast.

My main question is, is 220F too high? What is considered overheating?

Thanks guys,
NIck

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post8083199

Did some more searching, apparently that's normal... any other input?

 

Can I ask why you installed a temp gauge?

A real oil pressure should be next on your list.

Where did you mount the gauge?

 

To know what his water temp is running

I dont have a water temp gauge on my current truck but on my 86 302 I did and never saw over 210*.This was a mechanical gauge though. Maybe the gauge is alittle off. I still havent gotten around to a water temp gauge on this truck.

 

My mechanical gauge never exceedes 210

 

It's possible it could be a gauge problem, or maybe a problem with the thermostat itself. I dont know if the location you mounted the sender would make a difference or not. I took out the factory sender and used the new one in it's place on top of the engine. If that heater hose location works good, I might relocate mine. I'm kinda tired of looking at a dead gauge in the dash.

Mine normally floats around 190 to 200 ish. I have a short sweep gauge, so it's not the most meticulous. I wouldnt say 220 is extremely hot, but I would doubt the computer likes it.

Chris

 

Long story short, temp gauge worked great. Swapped in a tach cluster from the junkyard, swapped the speedo over and I dropped the new clusters coolant gauge on the ground and it never worked right. It would go up to about the O in Normal and fall back down. Got a gauge from the junkyard, did something similar but to a lesser extent. It would build its way up, I'd hit a bump on the road and it would drop. I could smack the dash and it would bounce around.

Yeah I'm not sure. It runs like a champ, does warm starts no problem, etc.

 

hey slow3v: did you find the install pretty straight forward? Do these temperature sensors come with installation instructions? My '89 F250 temp gauge is on the fritz, and I figured I'd just put in an aftermarket one rather than wrestle with the OEM stuff in the main dash. Any suggestions there? Thanks

 

when using a aftermarket electrical temp gauge,it's important to make sure you feed the gauge with a devoted ground wire,otherwise they'll read higher than actual temps.
the issue with low budget electrical gauges is that their sending units are sensitive and will be affected greatly by ambient temps.
if you want reliable readings,you should try a mechanical water temp gauge for under hood applications iv found.though autometers (and im sure other quality) electrical gauges are accurate enough unless you get high under hood temps such as when blocking the front with a plow for example,this is when a mechanical gauge really shines over electrical as they're not effected at all by surrounding temps outside the block.plus with a mechanical gauge,you could likely get away with a more budget type and still have decent enough accuracy.
for my trans temp with it's sensor down under the truck iv never had issues with surrounding temps effecting the gauge so i kept this one electrical.

for your sending unit location,your probably better off to place it in the stock location and just unhook the oem gauge as it'll be worthless to you anyway.