temp sensor for vortec heads

[1972BlueC20]

Would this GM temp sensor work for my 72 c20 with vortec style heads?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...689969&alt=web

My options are either get a stock sensor machined down from 1/2 npt to 3/8 npt, or put the sensor in the intake manifold or if this one above works then I could get this.


Thoughts??

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by 1972BlueC20

Would this GM temp sensor work for my 72 c20 with vortec style heads?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...689969&alt=web

My options are either get a stock sensor machined down from 1/2 npt to 3/8 npt, or put the sensor in the intake manifold or if this one above works then I could get this.


Thoughts??

The one you are looking at on ebay is for a temp light and not a temp gauge. That means basically it is set up to ground at a certain temp to illuminate the "temp" light on the dash.

Your options are to find a temp sender for a gauge with 3/8 pipe thread that has the same ohm range as the stock gauge or like you mentioned, have a stock 1/2 one machined down to 3/8 pipe or you could drill and tap the hole in the head from a 3/8 pipe to a 1/2 hole.

Using adapters will not work as it will move the sender out of the flow of coolant.

You can also, like you mention, place it in the intake but the intake is the coolest part of the cooling system. The senders work best in the cylinder head because that is where the hottest part of the cooling system is located.

Hope this helps,
Tom

[Eddie H.]

I am running a temp sensor in the intake manifold with no problems. actually I think it gives a more accurate reading than being mounted the head.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 1972BlueC20

Would this GM temp sensor work for my 72 c20 with vortec style heads?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...689969&alt=web

My options are either get a stock sensor machined down from 1/2 npt to 3/8 npt, or put the sensor in the intake manifold or if this one above works then I could get this.


Thoughts??

I don't think that one will work, and mine didn't read even close in the intake because of the thermostat opening and closing. I had one turned down. Be sure they don't thread it too far back or it will break off when you try and tighten it down. There was a member on here turning them down but I don't know if he is still around or not....

LockDoc

[1972BlueC20]

My truck has the idiot lights, no gauges. So I need the sensor for lights.

I pm'd member brian mac but haven't got any response. He is the one that was machining them down. I guess I'll do the intake location for now and hopefully I can either find someone else to turn one down for me or mr mac will write me back.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by 1972BlueC20

My truck has the idiot lights, no gauges. So I need the sensor for lights.

I pm'd member brian mac but haven't got any response. He is the one that was machining them down. I guess I'll do the intake location for now and hopefully I can either find someone else to turn one down for me or mr mac will write me back.

That makes more sense now for the one you found on ebay. One thing you need to consider is what temp does that sender need to be to ground and illuminate the light. Placing it in the intake may never let it reach that temp. If for example the sender is set to ground at 210* and your intake coolant never reaches that, the light will never illuminate which is not a bad thing unless you cylinder head temp is 230* at the same time.

Like LocDoc mentioned, the fluctuation of the temp near the t-stat will make it very hard to keep accurate.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by 1972BlueC20

My truck has the idiot lights, no gauges. So I need the sensor for lights.

I pm'd member brian mac but haven't got any response. He is the one that was machining them down. I guess I'll do the intake location for now and hopefully I can either find someone else to turn one down for me or mr mac will write me back.

Be patient. Brian was last online Nov, 17. I don't think he's as OCD about visiting here as some of us. You could also send him a note via USPS at his address in the link you have with his contact info.

[TonyJohnson]

Duralast TU66
http://www.autozone.com/climate-cont...96492&cmpid=cj

interesting discussion here: http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...tec-heads.html

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by 1972BlueC20

Would this GM temp sensor work for my 72 c20 with vortec style heads?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...689969&alt=web

My options are either get a stock sensor machined down from 1/2 npt to 3/8 npt, or put the sensor in the intake manifold or if this one above works then I could get this.


Thoughts??

That's not a sensor, it's a switch. I've asked you more than once if you have a temp gauge or temp light but no reply.

If you have a temp gauge, it will not work.

If you have a temp light, it will work. So will the Autozone part number I gave you.

[TonyJohnson]

I included my post in case someone else needs the sensor for the vortec heads with a gauge. Common problem for old truck vortec guys...

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

The one you are looking at on ebay is for a temp light and not a temp gauge. That means basically it is set up to ground at a certain temp to illuminate the "temp" light on the dash.

Your options are to find a temp sender for a gauge with 3/8 pipe thread that has the same ohm range as the stock gauge or like you mentioned, have a stock 1/2 one machined down to 3/8 pipe or you could drill and tap the hole in the head from a 3/8 pipe to a 1/2 hole.

Using adapters will not work as it will move the sender out of the flow of coolant.

You can also, like you mention, place it in the intake but the intake is the coolest part of the cooling system. The senders work best in the cylinder head because that is where the hottest part of the cooling system is located.

Hope this helps,
Tom

Intake is not the coolest part of the cooling system. The water pump sucks in coolant from the radiator after it has been cooled, then it goes into the block and absorbs some heat, then it goes to the heads where it absorbs the most heat and directly to the intake manifold after fully heated.

The intake crossover is where the coolant comes after it's gotten the absolute hottest and then it goes though the thermostat to the radiator to get cooled. It does not cool down any at all in the 6" or so it moves from the cylinder head to the intake manifold.

The gauge system this truck uses is cave man tech, it only has lines on the gauge and no numbers so how accurate is it anyway. I temporarily used some late model heads on my truck and put the gauge sensor on the intake and it made no noticeable difference, but then again what would it matter on that gauge.

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

That's not a sensor, it's a switch. I've asked you more than once if you have a temp gauge or temp light but no reply.

If you have a temp gauge, it will not work.

If you have a temp light, it will work. So will the Autozone part number I gave you.

sorry man, I must of missed you asking me whether I had a gauge or lights....

I have lights, no gauges!

This switch that I posted from ebay is actually for another later model gm application....I think v6.....but you're saying it should work on my truck with idiot light?

I just typed in temperature sensor GM 3/8 and this is one that came up as well as others....

[LockDoc]

-
I'm not sure you can even turn the ones for lights down, they are made different than the gauge ones....

LockDoc

[Lee H]

23/32 bit, 1/2 - 14 tap, 10 minutes and use the correct sensor for your gauge or light.