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I have an 88 f150, it has a 302. I got a gauge set and need to install a spot for the gauge sensor to go in. I have a few options.
A- Remove current thermostat housing and install old one. Didn’t match holes on intake as well as current one. But it does have the temp sensor hole.
B- install an inline sensor adapter on the radiator hose. but I don’t know how to tell what size radiator hose I have to see if any of these sizes will work. And I don’t know how to tell if the sensor hole is 1/8”
https://a.co/d/8OBwkhu
I want the temp sensor to be after it’s gone through the block and coming past the thermostat so those are the only real options I have.
You seem to have left something out. Did you replace the t-stat housing earlier and now you are saying the sensor for your gauges (electric? mechanical?) does not fit the hole? How did the old sensor fit in there if it is not the same hole as the old t-stat housing?
I got a new sensor the old one got removed since it was broken. I also removed the old t stat housing for the o ring one cause the gaskets kept leaking. It’s the mechanical I think it’s got the probe thing that sticks into the hole.
I will be willing to do that to see the most accurate temp. But is there somewhere I can put the factory one so that way if I want to glance down really quick I can have an idea from the cluster. Because most likely the gauges are gonna be on the bottom of the dash.
Depending on how long the sensor for your mechanical gauge is, you may not be able to install it in the thermostat housing
I would put it where the factory gauge sender was (in the intake manifold) like mentioned above
And, if you want to see the original gauge reading, install that sender in the T stat housing
Good luck
I used short sweep electric, so only had to install a 1/8" NPT sensor...which went into that heater hose part. I just removed the heated throttle body hose adapter for access.
Depending on how long the sensor for your mechanical gauge is, you may not be able to install it in the thermostat housing
I would put it where the factory gauge sender was (in the intake manifold) like mentioned above
And, if you want to see the original gauge reading, install that sender in the T stat housing
Good luck
Thanks I think that’s what I’ll do
Originally Posted by Hit Man X
How big is the adapter for the aftermarket gauge?
I used short sweep electric, so only had to install a 1/8" NPT sensor...which went into that heater hose part. I just removed the heated throttle body hose adapter for access.
I grabbed my old t-stat housing with the hole for it. It’ll fit in the t stat housing so I think it’ll fit in the dash gauges intended spot.
Originally Posted by Scndsin
Auto Meter mechanical in T-stat housing. Gauge "clocked" to indicate straight up needle as average of 190*-200* at a glance.
Very noticeable needle movement when stat opens.
I believe mine is clocked to be 200 straight up so i didn’t think of it till you mentioned it that it’ll be a quick glance.
I don’t have a photo to show how big the sensor is but I’ll get one Friday when I get home. But it does fit in t-stat housing
Biggest thing when messing with the original computers coolant sensor, the location on the engine is very specific and for your ECM you want to keep it where it was intended. The gauge one can be put anywhere you can contact coolant that you are willing to put it. But glad you seem to have it working?
I’m leaving the computers ECT alone. Id change the one for the cluster with the aftermarket one. It sounds simple but I need to make time to do it next week. I’ll update how it goes whenever I do it. I got a lot of crap to do to this thing so it just depends on when I chose to do this but I do have the sensor ready to install so now that I know what it’ll take I can plan it
