The Ford Barn

Anteek29 · 03-03-2015, 01:25 AM

I have a temp gauge to install and plan to drill and tap my existing outlet
housing for the probe. What is the wall thickness? (I know some of you guys have gone this route).
I am choosing this option over buying an outlet with the cast threaded boss or splicing into the upper hose.

quickchange · 03-03-2015, 02:12 AM

its fairly thin , if not enough meat you can always braze a nut on for more grip, done that instead of buying one .

colin1928 · 03-03-2015, 03:22 AM

As Derek said they can be thin best to try installing the smallest probe you can
they normally are thick close to base so keep as low as possible

Dick So. Cal. · 03-03-2015, 11:39 AM

I have done this on both my cars. No problem. I drilled and tapped to 1/2" pipe size, high enough to be able to get at the head nut and low enough to put the hose on.
I routed the lead down the left side with the wire harness.
Because this is not a pressure system, no leakage concerns. I use Teflon tape, but that part is up to you.

Jim Brierley · 03-03-2015, 11:54 AM

They are thick enough, but use a sealer on the threads and don't over-tighten.

Anteek29 · 03-03-2015, 04:37 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Great - thanks guys!

_

AL in NY · 03-03-2015, 06:44 PM

I used the 1/2 pipe tap also. Don't run the tap in too deep or the temperature gauge fitting will be loose. Tap it a little at a time and try the fitting to see how deep it sets in the water neck. I used JB Weld as a sealer.

John Stone · 03-03-2015, 07:10 PM

I have tapped several but always on the back of the outlet. Don't like to fight the head nut when doing a re-torque.

Brendan · 03-03-2015, 07:58 PM

why not buy one that is already taped for a gauge? I got mine at Snyder's

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-04-2015, 10:19 AM

Anyone ever tapped into the L/R side of the cylinder head? That was Chief's, (my Dad) favorite place & it was a common place on many flathead engines. Surely that would be the HOTTEST place in the engine. While I had the head off, I marked the spot. It's about 2 1/2" foreward from the back of the head.
Bill W.

burner31 · 03-04-2015, 10:53 AM

For less than $20 I bought one

03-03-2015, 01:25 AM	#1
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 986	Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? I have a temp gauge to install and plan to drill and tap my existing outlet housing for the probe. What is the wall thickness? (I know some of you guys have gone this route). I am choosing this option over buying an outlet with the cast threaded boss or splicing into the upper hose. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

03-03-2015, 02:12 AM	#2
quickchange Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nelson. New Zealand Posts: 2,010	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? its fairly thin , if not enough meat you can always braze a nut on for more grip, done that instead of buying one .

03-03-2015, 03:22 AM	#3
colin1928 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Australa Melbourne Posts: 878	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? As Derek said they can be thin best to try installing the smallest probe you can they normally are thick close to base so keep as low as possible

03-03-2015, 11:39 AM	#4
Dick So. Cal. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: El Segundo CA Posts: 181	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? I have done this on both my cars. No problem. I drilled and tapped to 1/2" pipe size, high enough to be able to get at the head nut and low enough to put the hose on. I routed the lead down the left side with the wire harness. Because this is not a pressure system, no leakage concerns. I use Teflon tape, but that part is up to you.

03-03-2015, 11:54 AM	#5
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,096	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? They are thick enough, but use a sealer on the threads and don't over-tighten.

03-03-2015, 04:37 PM	#6
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 986	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Great - thanks guys! _ __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

03-03-2015, 06:44 PM	#7
AL in NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Upstate New York Posts: 1,161	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? I used the 1/2 pipe tap also. Don't run the tap in too deep or the temperature gauge fitting will be loose. Tap it a little at a time and try the fitting to see how deep it sets in the water neck. I used JB Weld as a sealer. __________________ AL in NY

03-03-2015, 07:10 PM	#8
John Stone Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 710	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? I have tapped several but always on the back of the outlet. Don't like to fight the head nut when doing a re-torque. Last edited by John Stone; 03-03-2015 at 07:11 PM. Reason: spelling

03-03-2015, 07:58 PM	#9
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,904	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? why not buy one that is already taped for a gauge? I got mine at Snyder's __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

03-04-2015, 10:19 AM	#10
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? Anyone ever tapped into the L/R side of the cylinder head? That was Chief's, (my Dad) favorite place & it was a common place on many flathead engines. Surely that would be the HOTTEST place in the engine. While I had the head off, I marked the spot. It's about 2 1/2" foreward from the back of the head. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

03-04-2015, 10:53 AM	#11
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Drilling/Tapping Water Outlet Housing? For less than $20 I bought one __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B