Is there more than 1 port on an L6 engine for a temp sending unit? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jabborabbo** · 07-26-2013, 02:31 PM

I'm hoping to keep the temperature idiot light in the fuel gauge working after I install my tach gauge cluster....

If there isn't another port, has anyone tried this some other way?

mmiddle · 07-26-2013, 03:07 PM

There are a number of usable ports on both heads that can be used for sending units. If it is a pipe plug... you can use it.

**jabborabbo** · 07-26-2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmiddle

There are a number of usable ports on both heads that can be used for sending units. If it is a pipe plug... you can use it.

It's an inline 6...and I haven't been able to find another obvious port...

mmiddle · 07-26-2013, 06:41 PM

Oh...sorry. I miss read your title. If not, I have seen Rad.hose slice thingies that the tuner crowd uses for extra temp senders. Look on Fleebay

pritch · 07-26-2013, 08:45 PM

I have a thermostat housing off a later 292 that has two outlets, on for the bypass and the other for whatever. Look around, they are out there.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 07-26-2013, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pritch

I have a thermostat housing off a later 292 that has two outlets, on for the bypass and the other for whatever. Look around, they are out there.

On my 292, I have a thermostat housing that the parts guy at Pep Boys said was for a Toyota L6. [Old Landcruiser, maybe?] The OEM GM was aluminum, and one hot day while in South Tucson, getting my radiator repaired, I overtorqued the housing and it snapped. So off to Pep Boys, the closest FLAP. with the broken part. He didn't have the Chevy part in stock, so we size matched it with other Mfrs' parts and found the Toy unit. It worked and is still on there, maybe 15 years later. This one is cast iron.
Anyway it has a ~5/8" tap on the top for an input.

Sorry, I can't reconfigure the pic. They used to upload OK.

**jabborabbo** · 07-27-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pritch

I have a thermostat housing off a later 292 that has two outlets, on for the bypass and the other for whatever. Look around, they are out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

On my 292, I have a thermostat housing that the parts guy at Pep Boys said was for a Toyota L6. [Old Landcruiser, maybe?] The OEM GM was aluminum, and one hot day while in South Tucson, getting my radiator repaired, I overtorqued the housing and it snapped. So off to Pep Boys, the closest FLAP. with the broken part. He didn't have the Chevy part in stock, so we size matched it with other Mfrs' parts and found the Toy unit. It worked and is still on there, maybe 15 years later. This one is cast iron.
Anyway it has a ~5/8" tap on the top for an input.

Sorry, I can't reconfigure the pic. They used to upload OK.

My engine is a 250...there's a casting boss on the side of the thermostat housing opposite the heater hose - if the housings are interchangeable between the 250 and the 292 then I'm in business! Thanks!

**jabborabbo** · 07-27-2013, 11:30 AM

If this is the part I need, then Autozone has fixed me up (although it's gonna look kinda funky with the sender sticking straight up....)

heyjoe · 07-27-2013, 11:50 AM

I assume you realize the sender will be on the wrong side of the thermostat. I guess it doesn't really matter since the idiot light will be only a backup.
FWIW my old 250 had the sending unit screwed into the left side of the head.

**jabborabbo** · 07-27-2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjoe

I assume you realize the sender will be on the wrong side of the thermostat. I guess it doesn't really matter since the idiot light will be only a backup.
FWIW my old 250 had the sending unit screwed into the left side of the head.

It's on the wrong side if the thermostat doesn't open as the engine warms up, so I'll need to pay attention to the gauge for a little while when I take off which I typically do in any vehicle so I know when the heater will work (during the winter, anyway).

The sending unit on my 250 is also screwed into the left side of the head (intake/exhaust side).

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 07-27-2013, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabborabbo

My engine is a 250...there's a casting boss on the side of the thermostat housing opposite the heater hose - if the housings are interchangeable between the 250 and the 292 then I'm in business! Thanks!

Yes. 250 and 292s are interchangeable in this case. And your AutoZone part is about what I got from Pep Boys long ago.
But does your upper radiator hose port [~2" dia.] angle to the rear? I think they're usually forward. Mine angles rear too. I use a flex hose rather than the OEM elbow-shaped formed hose.
The 250 water pump is different, having one less outlet, but the thermostat housing is the same.

**jabborabbo** · 07-27-2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Yes. 250 and 292s are interchangeable in this case. And your AutoZone part is about what I got from Pep Boys long ago.
But does your upper radiator hose port [~2" dia.] angle to the rear? I think they're usually forward. Mine angles rear too. I use a flex hose rather than the OEM elbow-shaped formed hose.
The 250 water pump is different, having one less outlet, but the thermostat housing is the same.

The port pretty much comes out perpendicular to the engine - I think the hose is OEM (or a facsimile).

heyjoe · 07-28-2013, 01:07 AM

I swapped this onto my 250. Already drilled and tapped from GM. I don't know which I6 it came from.

pritch · 07-28-2013, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjoe

I swapped this onto my 250. Already drilled and tapped from GM. I don't know which I6 it came from.

That would be typical of a later (I don't know when they switched) 292. That is for the by-pass hose. On the earlier 292's, this was a much bigger hose, like 1.25" IIRC. The one I mentioned in a earlier post is like that, but it has 2 outlets on the drivers side, and one for the heater on the other side. I could take a picture of it tomorrow. I got it off a later square-body with a 292 not too long ago.

mesaridge · 07-28-2013, 01:19 AM

Some of trucks with 8V92s we work on have multiple sending units in one port. I'tll be a short straight pipe with a three port brass fitting.

We call it a tree and it isn't unusual to have temp, pressure, and a sending unit for a piece of test equipment out of the same hole in the block.

**jabborabbo** · 07-28-2013, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjoe

I swapped this onto my 250. Already drilled and tapped from GM. I don't know which I6 it came from.

That would make for a much cleaner look - anyone know where I could find one like that?

07-26-2013, 02:31 PM	#1
jabborabbo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Podunk, Texas Posts: 742	Is there more than 1 port on an L6 engine for a temp sending unit? I'm hoping to keep the temperature idiot light in the fuel gauge working after I install my tach gauge cluster.... If there isn't another port, has anyone tried this some other way?

07-26-2013, 03:07 PM	#2
mmiddle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Forestburg, Texas Posts: 659	Re: Is there more than 1 port on an L6 engine for a temp sending unit? There are a number of usable ports on both heads that can be used for sending units. If it is a pipe plug... you can use it. __________________ Mark Jesus is the Way! 2003 2500HD CCLB Duramax/Ali (Clifford) 2014 2SS/RS black on black Camaro (Betty) 2006 Pontiac SOLSTICE silver/black (Lula-Bell) 1970 C/10 Short Wide (Peggy) 1964 C/10 Short Step (Hambone) RIP Jimmy Hamilton Thank you for the trucks

07-26-2013, 06:41 PM	#4
mmiddle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Forestburg, Texas Posts: 659	Re: Is there more than 1 port on an L6 engine for a temp sending unit? Oh...sorry. I miss read your title. If not, I have seen Rad.hose slice thingies that the tuner crowd uses for extra temp senders. Look on Fleebay __________________ Mark Jesus is the Way! 2003 2500HD CCLB Duramax/Ali (Clifford) 2014 2SS/RS black on black Camaro (Betty) 2006 Pontiac SOLSTICE silver/black (Lula-Bell) 1970 C/10 Short Wide (Peggy) 1964 C/10 Short Step (Hambone) RIP Jimmy Hamilton Thank you for the trucks

07-26-2013, 08:45 PM	#5
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: Is there more than 1 port on an L6 engine for a temp sending unit? I have a thermostat housing off a later 292 that has two outlets, on for the bypass and the other for whatever. Look around, they are out there. __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green

07-27-2013, 11:30 AM	#8
jabborabbo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Podunk, Texas Posts: 742	Re: Is there more than 1 port on an L6 engine for a temp sending unit? If this is the part I need, then Autozone has fixed me up (although it's gonna look kinda funky with the sender sticking straight up....) Attached Images

07-27-2013, 11:50 AM	#9
heyjoe Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Orleans area Posts: 198	Re: Is there more than 1 port on an L6 engine for a temp sending unit? I assume you realize the sender will be on the wrong side of the thermostat. I guess it doesn't really matter since the idiot light will be only a backup. FWIW my old 250 had the sending unit screwed into the left side of the head.

07-28-2013, 01:07 AM	#13
heyjoe Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Orleans area Posts: 198	Re: Is there more than 1 port on an L6 engine for a temp sending unit? I swapped this onto my 250. Already drilled and tapped from GM. I don't know which I6 it came from. Attached Images

07-28-2013, 01:19 AM	#15
mesaridge Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 8	Re: Is there more than 1 port on an L6 engine for a temp sending unit? Some of trucks with 8V92s we work on have multiple sending units in one port. I'tll be a short straight pipe with a three port brass fitting. We call it a tree and it isn't unusual to have temp, pressure, and a sending unit for a piece of test equipment out of the same hole in the block.



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