C3 - water temp sender

[Jim Callan]

The "camel hump" heads I put on my '71 350/270hp didn't have the provision for the temp sender. I used a std pipe "T" at the inlet on the intake for 30+ years without a problem (didn't look good). I'm now rebuilding the engine and wonder if there is a better place to mount the temp sender?

Thanks

Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - water temp sender

Jim-----

You must be using pre-1968 heads; the 1968 and later have provisions for the temp sender. There's no way to add the temp sender provisions to most pre-1968 heads, so, if you use these heads, you'll have to come up with an alternate location for the temp sender, as you have.

I don't quite understand what you mean by a "T" at the inlet" that you've been using. However, I'm assuming that you're talking about a "T" you've installed at the manifold heater hose fitting. Since 1971 manifolds don't have the seperate temp sender fitting like many earlier small block manifolds, I'd say that what you've done is about all you can do.

[Jim Callan]

Re: C3 - water temp sender

Thanks Joe,

I'll use the same setup but try to "make it pretty" by using smaller fittings
if possible. It worked for 30+ years, maybe 30 more.

Thanks

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C3 - water temp sender

If I remember correctly there are some later model, or maybe aftermarket thermostat housings that have a tapped opening for the sender. Maybe that would be more appealing than the sender spliced into the heater hose?

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 - water temp sender

My thought exactly. I think they are later years, but I know I have one in the basement. I'd use that before trying something else.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - water temp sender

Ed, Patrick, and Jim-----

Yes, the 1974 and later thermostat housings did have 1 (or more) fittings for various emissions sensors. I had considered the use of this in Jim's case, too. However, I think that there would be a problem with this arrangement. Installed in the thermostat housing, the temp sender would be on the "cold" side of the thermostat. At that location, if the thermostat were to stick closed, the temp sender would be showing low coolant temperature, while the coolant would actually be super-hot. Also, I don't think that the temp sender would be accurate during engine warm-up when the thermostat was closed.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 - water temp sender

Joe,

I thought about that, but it's a cheap and easy alternative to almost any other solution.

Of course, I would have used heads with the sender provision, but apparently it's too late for that in his case.

Patrick

[Mark #28455]

can you buy an older intake? *NM*