Moving the temp sender

[rogus]

can I move the temp sender from the head to the water neck?

Someone put headers on this thing with the following result

 

[Wageslave]

Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[fleming442]

But then you're on the wrong side of the thermostat.....

 

[pagrunt]

Couple questions. Does the sender have a blade or button that the wire end connect to? Then what size is the sender's threads-3/8" or 1/2"? '80 & newer heads have the 3/8" as '68-'79 has the 1/2". If your's is 3/8" get another sender with a blade if what you have is the button type. Seeing that your intake is a Eldelbrock 2101the only open tapped coolant port is a 1/2" thread under the upper rad hose (stock '55-'67 vocation) with the hose blocking easy access to install. Then the hose is too close & will rub the sender. But there is a fix, you'll need a water neck spacer to lift it up to allow space between the hose & sender/wire. The sender will be a button type for a '78 or '78 El Camino (Malibu, Monte), the space might need to be 1"-2" tall (can't remember the space between the hose & port off hand.) Another option is more work, drill & tap that flat spot with the dimple for 3/8" pipe thread & put it there but the intake will have to be removed to be done. Then the wire plastic housing would need replace & then you'll be good to go. As with the port in the housing, like fleming442 it'll be on the wrong side of the thermostat not giving a correct temp.

 

[rogus]

Couple questions. Does the sender have a blade or button that the wire end connect to? Then what size is the sender's threads-3/8" or 1/2"? '80 & newer heads have the 3/8" as '68-'79 has the 1/2". If your's is 3/8" get another sender with a blade if what you have is the button type. Seeing that your intake is a Eldelbrock 2101the only open tapped coolant port is a 1/2" thread under the upper rad hose (stock '55-'67 vocation) with the hose blocking easy access to install. Then the hose is too close & will rub the sender. But there is a fix, you'll need a water neck spacer to lift it up to allow space between the hose & sender/wire. The sender will be a button type for a '78 or '78 El Camino (Malibu, Monte), the space might need to be 1"-2" tall (can't remember the space between the hose & port off hand.) Another option is more work, drill & tap that flat spot with the dimple for 3/8" pipe thread & put it there but the intake will have to be removed to be done. Then the wire plastic housing would need replace & then you'll be good to go. As with the port in the housing, like fleming442 it'll be on the wrong side of the thermostat not giving a correct temp.

The sender I have is a blade. But you say I should get a button type if I want to use a the already tapped hole? That will work with my gauges and fit the hole?

 

[rogus]

Can anyone tell me what the sender still connected to the water neck in the picture does and do I need it if the ecm is no longer being used?

 

[pagrunt]

The sender I have is a blade. But you say I should get a button type if I want to use a the already tapped hole? That will work with my gauges and fit the hole?

Can anyone tell me what the sender still connected to the water neck in the picture does and do I need it if the ecm is no longer being used?

Yes, for under the hose for the tight clearance even with a water neck spacer as the blade would hit the hose. Since you no longer have a ECM in use you don't need it, it should be for the ECM to read the engine temps.

 

[rogus]

Yes, for under the hose for the tight clearance even with a water neck spacer as the blade would hit the hose. Since you no longer have a ECM in use you don't need it, it should be for the ECM to read the engine temps.

Thank you. This is the first car I've worked on that had an ecm. Not sure what I can get rid of and what I can't.

 

[rogus]

Anyone know how to test a temp sender?

 

[fleming442]

Hot water?