L31 Vortec in a 66 - temp sending unit questions

[msg]

I have been told to check with A1971Blazer about turning down a temp sending unit so it will fit my engine so I have sent a pm to him on that. I wondered if others who have rewired with American Auto Wires kit 500560 needed anything else to make the connection needed to the harness?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/AWW-500560

Will the stock temp gauge in the cluster work right with this setup?

Also, is there a best temp sending unit brand to get?

[cwcarpenter98]

I purchased a sending unit from Letric Limited when I went from warning lights to a temp gauge. With a 180* Tstat, the needle is right about in the middle of the green. With a 195* Tstat, the needle will sit towards the H side of the gauge, but still in the green. I have not had any overheating issues with the truck.

On getting it to work with your engine, I'm not sure what needs to be done. For me, I had an intake manifold that did not have the correct size NPT threads. I took the intake to the machine shop that rebuilt the engine for my Dakota and had them drill and tap for the stock sender.

[Captainfab]

If you want to use the stock gauge, you must use the correct stock sending unit.

[msg]

Captain, from what Im reading in other posts this is the one then correct?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...98816&jsn=1892

And if so would placing it in the intake that is 1/2" NPT do the job? Or is the block the only way to get an accurate read?

[cwcarpenter98]

The intake is where GM put it, so that will be ok for you too. I have mine in my intake and it works great

[msg]

Thanks Christian, Ill order it and place it in the manifold.