Temp sender for 5 Bird

[SuperDave]

That should be 56 Bird but I can't edit it.
Why are they so expensive? or am i looking in the wrong place?

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

That should be 56 Bird but I can't edit it.

Why are they so expensive? or am i looking in the wrong place?

B6C 10884-A

I have found prices from $50 to $125. NOS would be higher than repro but make sure the repro isn't CHI-COM.

Whatch you going to do? Expensive hobby.

[Oldmics]

I looked up the original 1956 and 1957 prices.

The B6 was $2.40
The B7 was $2.70

All I can figure is that shipping from Chino is really expensive and that we are being gouged for another T Bird part. Real shocker there

Oldmics

[Ole Don]

Is the T bird sender different from another Y block sender?

[dmsfrr]

A '56 T-Bird sensor should be the same as any other '56 y-block temp sensor, but
they are a 'one-year-only' part and matched to a '56 (only) gauge.
'56 was the first year of 12 volt, the internals are not the same as earlier(6v), or later.
The '57 gauges & sensors were improved to a slightly different system using a voltage regulator and the sensors are a smaller size.
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[SuperDave]

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This one is not working and i don't know if it's the correct one. It looks like the long one in the above picture.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

This one is not working and i don't know if it's the correct one. It looks like the long one in the above picture.

If it is a 56 and has not been tampered with ... ... it is the longer one with the two blade terminals.

[Alaska Jim]

I know very little about the small birds, but that long sending unit look exactly like one of the 2 used on the Flathead Ford V8. wonder if it is the same?

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Alaska Jim

I know very little about the small birds, but that long sending unit look exactly like one of the 2 used on the Flathead Ford V8. wonder if it is the same?

The first two in the Ill below were used on flat-heads-

[Alaska Jim]

Yes, I guess I just saw the 2 prongs and did not think it through. forgot about the 2 screws. my memory is not what it used to be. I should have went out to the garage and opened the hood on my Merc. before I spoke.

[robib]

I believe the reason 56 temp senders are more expensive is that they are the only ones to use reverse resistance. Meaning as the temperature increases, instead of the ohms increasing, the ohms decrease (I could be wrong which way the ohms go). I tried finding another sender that would work and came up empty handed.

[Daves55Sedan]

I would be VERY skeptical about trying to swap the sending unit with a similar part from a flathead, an early Y-block, or later year sending units if you want it to work properly with your guage.
1956 is the only year that Fomoco had 12 volts run un-regulated thru the sender to the guage.
In '57 and later years, Fomoco incorporated a regulator ahead of both gauges.
It might be possible to swap both matching gauges and sending units with a later year but then you will need to modify the left cylinder head with a bushing for the smaller design sending unit and the face of the gauges often look different from the original '56 gauges. Also would need to add the regulator and mount it under the dash near the gauges.

[SuperDave]

Thanks for all the advice and comments guys. Got a repro from carpenter..Fixed.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Thanks for all the advice and comments guys. Got a repro from carpenter..Fixed.

Great news! Glad it's working for you.

Just FYI....

Originally Posted by robib

I believe the reason 56 temp senders are more expensive is that they are the only ones to use reverse resistance. Meaning as the temperature increases, instead of the ohms increasing, the ohms decrease (I could be wrong which way the ohms go). I tried finding another sender that would work and came up empty handed.

I called the Tech Info phone number at CASCO a while back asking about replacement temp gauge & sender options for my 12v converted '55 Bird (w/ '58 heads & temp sensor) and the guy told me the 'reverse resistance/direction' of the gauge began in '57.
.

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

.....It might be possible to swap both matching gauges and sending units with a later year but ..... the face of the gauges often look different from the original '56 gauges. ....

'55 & '56 T-Bird dash gauges look the same but were made for different voltage, 6 vs. (actual) 12v.
'57 T-Bird dashboards were the newer style, with reduced/regulated voltage to the gauges.

IIRC, the 'full-sized' Ford cars had the dashboard changed to the newer style a year earlier, in '56, along with all cars getting the 'LifeGuard' safety upgrades.
.

[bfdinardo]

Is there any way to have an aftermarket gauge AND the stock temp gauge both working at the same time? I would rather rely on my aftermarket mechanical capillary gauge that is currently hooked up and working properly but would really like if the stock original electrical gauge worked as well (currently disconnected so the aftermarket gauge probe could be installed into the engine block).

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by bfdinardo

Is there any way to have an aftermarket gauge AND the stock temp gauge both working at the same time? I would rather rely on my aftermarket mechanical capillary gauge that is currently hooked up and working properly but would really like if the stock original electrical gauge worked as well (currently disconnected so the aftermarket gauge probe could be installed into the engine block).

With or without a bit of machine work? And assuming you don't want it too unsightly...
There is usually a threaded fitting in the lower radiator hose casting of the water pump (where a pwr steering pump bracket bolts on) that you might be able to use. IIRC it has 'bolt' style threads and not tapered 'pipe' threads tho. Maybe adding a fitting into a heater hose connection???

There is an unused water passage plug at the rear of the passenger side head (attached photo) but a threaded insert would need to be installed. It's pretty close to the distributor but might fit.
I'm not sure about tapping a hole somewhere else...

No matter where you put it, it will read differently than the other gauge. Becoming familiar with what is 'normal' for the temp in that spot should only take a few days.
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[mobileparts]

How much for the quarter and the dime in the above picture?

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by mobileparts

How much for the quarter and the dime in the above picture?

I listed them on ebay for $1.25 plus $15 shipping. They didn't sell for some reason.
You can have 'em for $10



.

[bfdinardo]

Ok many thanks, DMSFRR. I'll check out that plug hole. I'm not much of a machinist but seems pretty straight forward!

[dmsfrr]

If there's a way to put a water temp sensor in the water pump lower hose casting (photo) I've never seen it done but it shouldn't be that hard and could be not too noticeable.

The temp sensor bushing in the head is available as a repair part. I've seen them in various catalogs. I'm assuming those plugged holes at the rear of each head are the same size...
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