Well I finally bit the bullet, and wrote a big check for all new after market instrumentation. I'm tired of not knowing what this beast is doing.
Got a tach, trans temp, water temp, oil temp, oil pres, and volt meters.
After many hours of trial and error, I've figured out how and where to mount them where they look OK, don't block my view, and are easy to read.
Now for the hookup, and thus, my questions.
The tach, trans temp, and volt meters I've got covered.
I want to leave the factory sending units intact, so the PCM and instrument cluster work as designed.
For the water temp, I see a threaded plug just above the freeze plug on the left rear. I assume this is into the water jacket. If so, would this be a good spot to install the sending unit? Or does any one know for sure if this is into the water jacket? I would expect this location to be a little warmer than the factoty unit. The factory unit is in the manifold going to (or comming from) the bottom radiator hose. (spoz I could drill and tap this manifold, but what a pain) Any other spots it could go?
For the oil pres, I figure I'll just tee the factory sending unit (if there's room), but I can't find it. It's not down by the oil filter like I thought. Any suggestions?
The oil temp unit I fear could be a pain, since short of welding a bung into the oil pan, I don't know where else on the engine I can place the send unit. Any ideas?
I don't want to go to all this trouble and expence, and then not hook everything up just right. I'll do what ever it takes.
Thanks for any and all replies, -Rob-
'03 E-350 6.8L

 

Well, I guess Thursdays are a slow surf day. There have been only twelve posts in V-10 since I posted this ,this morning. 27 views and zero replies. Guess I should of asked sooner.
Was hopeing to have a little input by this eve., as I had hoped to make some good progress on this task this weekend.
The van is all torn apart, and though I can proceed, I'd like to know where it all might end.
I know you guys have the answers I need, and I'm just as sure I'll get them. Just a little impaicent I guess. This project has been heavy on my mind.
I want to get this right. -Rob-

 

I'm waiting for the same ansewer you are. I have a gauge pod, trans temp gauge, oil temp gauge and a voltmeter on the way. THe only problem is I have no Idea were any of the three will hook into. I'm sure the voldmeter will be easy enough but the two temp gauges I'm no realy sure about either. Where did you hook your trans temp??? the oil temp I figured I'd have to take the pan off, tap it, thread it and install the sending unit unless someone has a better Idea???

 

SLE - Your trans temp gauge sending unit can go in the test port plug in the trany. In my case, it's going in the pan. I got an oversize pan that came with a spot for a sending unit.
The volt meter may not be as easy as it looks, if you want an acurate reading. Any hot source will give you a reading, but most of the circuits on our trucks have a significant voltage drop under full load. Grab a circuit that has a pretty good size wire to it tha doesn't have much load. The cigar lighter, for example, if you don't use it much. Otherwise, run the wires all the way back to the battery.
The oil temp unit has me a little concerned too. Till I hear otherwise, looks like it needs to go in the pan. I wouldn't drill and tap it though, the metal isn't thick enough, instead,punch a hole in the pan just large enough to take one of the reducer bushings and weld or brase it in. -Rob-