Speco Mechanical Temperature Gauge
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
Speco Mechanical Temperature Gauge
Hi Guys,
I have a 78 F100 Cleveland V8 351 4x4.
The original temp gauge was showing over the temp high mark today on the way home (probably grounding). The engine temperature could not have been that high as I made it home which took over an hour. Felt a bit sketchy though.
I have bought a Speco water temperature gauge.
Anyone installed one or know of a good article, I probably need to get an adaptor?
Thanks,
I have a 78 F100 Cleveland V8 351 4x4.
The original temp gauge was showing over the temp high mark today on the way home (probably grounding). The engine temperature could not have been that high as I made it home which took over an hour. Felt a bit sketchy though.
I have bought a Speco water temperature gauge.
Anyone installed one or know of a good article, I probably need to get an adaptor?
Thanks,
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
Hi Guys,
I have a 78 F100 Cleveland V8 351 4x4.
The original temp gauge was showing over the temp high mark today on the way home (probably grounding). The engine temperature could not have been that high as I made it home which took over an hour. Felt a bit sketchy though.
I have bought a Speco water temperature gauge.
Anyone installed one or know of a good article, I probably need to get an adaptor?
Thanks,
I have a 78 F100 Cleveland V8 351 4x4.
The original temp gauge was showing over the temp high mark today on the way home (probably grounding). The engine temperature could not have been that high as I made it home which took over an hour. Felt a bit sketchy though.
I have bought a Speco water temperature gauge.
Anyone installed one or know of a good article, I probably need to get an adaptor?
Thanks,
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
The engine is likely a 351m, and the "best" sender location is in the front of the block, behind the alternator bracket. You'll likely need an adapter. Summit has them for about $10-$12.
The second option is the thermostat housing. Again, you'll likely need an adapter, and the temp will be on the "outside" of the thermostat.
The second option is the thermostat housing. Again, you'll likely need an adapter, and the temp will be on the "outside" of the thermostat.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
Mechanical Temp Gauge
Hi,
well I am going to take a look at fitting it tomorrow.
The original sender unit is monted in the block behind the alternator.
I dont really want to disturb this, is there any where else on the block I can use?
Thanks,
well I am going to take a look at fitting it tomorrow.
The original sender unit is monted in the block behind the alternator.
I dont really want to disturb this, is there any where else on the block I can use?
Thanks,
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
Any unused taps in the front water passage of the intake manifold or cylinder head would be best. This is where the water is the hottest before being discharged past the thermostat. You can also use any unused taps in the thermostat housing or buy another housing with more taps. You can also remove the original sender, add a "T" fitting and put them both in the same location. You can also add a new port in an adapter in the upper radiator hose. The "T" fitting and everything after the thermostat is less desirable, but if that's all you have and you want to preserve the original you might have few choices.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 16
From: Ideeho
A Tee would not be the best option.......coolant will flow past the leg of the tee and not past the bulb of the sender. It will register temperature on the guage but may not be as accurate as putting the bulb of the sender in the actual "stream" of coolant....Just my 2 cents
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
Temperature sensor fitment
Hi,
I have uploaded two photos,
Out of interest does anybody know much about the plug shown in water pump and the other hole I indicated?
Does any body know the thred size of te the original sender?
Looks like I will have to get an adaptor.
Thanks,
I have uploaded two photos,
Out of interest does anybody know much about the plug shown in water pump and the other hole I indicated?
Does any body know the thred size of te the original sender?
Looks like I will have to get an adaptor.
Thanks,
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
Someone who has detailed knowledge about your engine should provide the answers you want. My experience is with the 460, but I can say that for a temperature sender you should be looking for a place that measures the hottest part of the cooling system. This will generally be coolant flow on the engine side of the thermostat. Often, the water pump handles water that has just been cooled in the radiator and would be inappropriate for measurement purposes. As far as the size goes, they look the same in the photo. Surely both are pipe thread size (NPT). Just measure the approximate diameter and tell us. The forum members will be able to tell you which pipe size you have. Pipe size adapters are readily available in various materials. If nothing better is found, you could use the port next to the upper radiator hose. It might result in a "sluggish" temperature reading while the thermostat is closed, but will be reasonably accurate once the thermostat opens.
Last edited by Ozzie H.; Dec 24, 2016 at 05:58 AM. Reason: Added information
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
Looks like the Summit gauge.
I installed same in my 351m a while back. There are only three options:
1) the front of the block-behind alternator, but the only true reading
2) in the thermostat housing-not great, because it's on the wrong side of the thermostat
3) in the water pump-not good, because it's actually coolant from the radiator
The sender won't mount directly into NPT without an adapter. Summit has the adapters for about $12. It's sort of a flare to NPT, but I couldn't find one at either the auto parts or home improvement stores
There are no other water ports in the heads nor intake. Don't bother with the plug in the intake, as the intake on the 351m is dry
I installed same in my 351m a while back. There are only three options:
1) the front of the block-behind alternator, but the only true reading
2) in the thermostat housing-not great, because it's on the wrong side of the thermostat
3) in the water pump-not good, because it's actually coolant from the radiator
The sender won't mount directly into NPT without an adapter. Summit has the adapters for about $12. It's sort of a flare to NPT, but I couldn't find one at either the auto parts or home improvement stores
There are no other water ports in the heads nor intake. Don't bother with the plug in the intake, as the intake on the 351m is dry
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
Temp sensor
Thanks Guy's for all your comments.
I look forward to getting an adaptor.
I found this by chance just now.
Adaptor
5/8 UNF x 3/8 NPT - Ford & Chrysler V8?
I look forward to getting an adaptor.
I found this by chance just now.
Adaptor
5/8 UNF x 3/8 NPT - Ford & Chrysler V8?
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
5/8 UNF engine side, 16mm sensor.
Would it be UNF engine side?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
Speco mechanical temperature gauge
Hi,
I managed to get hold of an adaptor (Autobarn). It was the 5/8 UNF to 3/8 NPT.
So it has been in for the last few days and I have been monitoring the temperature, though I haven’t traveled far. It was however in stop / start traffic.
Takes a while for it to indicate a reading, I am guessing the thermostat?
Then it goes to approximately 68 deg C / 154 deg F. I’m nervous while it takes its time to show a reading.
Yesterday was a fairly hot day, I saw it go up to 80 deg C / 176 deg F, but not above. This was without the electric fans on the radiator running (as I am trying to see how it performs). I put the fans on as a trial and they brought the temp down significantly, so I turned them off (Good to know that their there though).
I will continue to monitor for the next few weeks. However it looks like I may be able to use the truck to get to and from work. Fingers crossed.
Thanks,
I managed to get hold of an adaptor (Autobarn). It was the 5/8 UNF to 3/8 NPT.
So it has been in for the last few days and I have been monitoring the temperature, though I haven’t traveled far. It was however in stop / start traffic.
Takes a while for it to indicate a reading, I am guessing the thermostat?
Then it goes to approximately 68 deg C / 154 deg F. I’m nervous while it takes its time to show a reading.
Yesterday was a fairly hot day, I saw it go up to 80 deg C / 176 deg F, but not above. This was without the electric fans on the radiator running (as I am trying to see how it performs). I put the fans on as a trial and they brought the temp down significantly, so I turned them off (Good to know that their there though).
I will continue to monitor for the next few weeks. However it looks like I may be able to use the truck to get to and from work. Fingers crossed.
Thanks,