The Ford Barn

callbald · 08-24-2018, 03:41 PM

I have never installed a mechanical temp sensor (1964 Galaxie) and the sensor purchased from Summit is too long (intake manifold is not deep enough). looking for installation solution. The sensor is hitting the bottom of the intake manifold sticking up a good a 1- 1 /4 inch.

Ole Don · 08-24-2018, 06:25 PM

I would try an adapter, or drill and tap a hole where there is more space.

Herman Munster · 08-24-2018, 07:56 PM

What engine does it have? Is there a spot in the block you can use?
I had Autometer gauges that used a mechanical temp sensor. It was a excellent gauge.

5851a · 08-25-2018, 09:06 AM

Any chance the manifold is deeper under heater outlet fitting? Maybe able to swap the sensor into heater hose hole and hose fitting to temp sender location. I bought a aluminum pump from PSE back in the day and it didn't have heater hose outlet. Think I drilled pump and installed a hose fitting. I had to go with small pipe thread hose nipple. Hole in it was only 1/4 inch but heater worked fine.

ahshoe · 08-25-2018, 10:58 AM

I installed a "T" at the heater hose to intake port and run the heater hose from one and the upper port is used for my temp sender.

big job · 09-06-2018, 10:04 AM

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rotorwrench · 09-07-2018, 04:33 PM

Is this a 260, 289, or later 302 engine. Some of the intake manifolds for small block Fords have a port behind the distributor and then another one farther left of center closer to the left cylinder head. I'm not sure on the older ones though. Several of the different aftermarket aluminum manifolds have the port on the left. To machine one there would require removal of the manifold. There are block drain plugs that may be used but they are lower in the block and closer to where the coolant inters the block so the temp would be lower than if it was placed closer to the exit of the block. An exception might be if there is a drain at the back of the block but it still may be cooler than the outlet port area. In line hose adapters are available to fit radiator outlet hoses but the unit wouldn't get temp up until the thermostat opens.

The non-electric mechanical reading gauges usually have a relatively long bulb and many need a flared seat to seal correctly. Some are odd size threads too other than 3/8 NPT like 5/8 X 18. What thread does your sender bulb have? Adapters are made to adapt to 3/8" NPT.

Johnnydidd · 10-03-2018, 12:39 PM

sounds like you have the unit that goes in head, you can get a shorter sending unit from speedway that will work with external gauge

KULTULZ · 10-03-2018, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by callbald

I have never installed a mechanical temp sensor (1964 Galaxie) and the sensor purchased from Summit is too long (intake manifold is not deep enough). looking for installation solution. The sensor is hitting the bottom of the intake manifold sticking up a good a 1- 1 /4 inch.

What engine and is it a mechanical temp gauge sender?

poolplayer1 · 10-05-2018, 01:14 PM

I bought a mechanical temp.gauge for my 55 ford and it came with 3 different adapters.
U cannot insert the sender directly into the intake manifold,you have to use one of the adaptors. After I threaded the adaptor into the manifold,I than threaded the sender into the adaptor. Mine is made by Bosh and it works really nice.

08-24-2018, 03:41 PM	#1
callbald Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Leo, Indiana Posts: 235	mechanical temp sensor too long I have never installed a mechanical temp sensor (1964 Galaxie) and the sensor purchased from Summit is too long (intake manifold is not deep enough). looking for installation solution. The sensor is hitting the bottom of the intake manifold sticking up a good a 1- 1 /4 inch.

08-24-2018, 06:25 PM	#2
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: mechanical temp sensor too long I would try an adapter, or drill and tap a hole where there is more space.

08-24-2018, 07:56 PM	#3
Herman Munster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW WA state. Posts: 564	Re: mechanical temp sensor too long What engine does it have? Is there a spot in the block you can use? I had Autometer gauges that used a mechanical temp sensor. It was a excellent gauge. __________________ 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 292 V8 with Ford-o-Matic

08-25-2018, 09:06 AM	#4
5851a Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Iowa Posts: 1,665	Re: mechanical temp sensor too long Any chance the manifold is deeper under heater outlet fitting? Maybe able to swap the sensor into heater hose hole and hose fitting to temp sender location. I bought a aluminum pump from PSE back in the day and it didn't have heater hose outlet. Think I drilled pump and installed a hose fitting. I had to go with small pipe thread hose nipple. Hole in it was only 1/4 inch but heater worked fine.

08-25-2018, 10:58 AM	#5
ahshoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Iowa Posts: 350	Re: mechanical temp sensor too long I installed a "T" at the heater hose to intake port and run the heater hose from one and the upper port is used for my temp sender.

09-06-2018, 10:04 AM	#6
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: mechanical temp sensor too long Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hardware store buy a nipple a female coupling done.....

09-07-2018, 04:33 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,455	Re: mechanical temp sensor too long Is this a 260, 289, or later 302 engine. Some of the intake manifolds for small block Fords have a port behind the distributor and then another one farther left of center closer to the left cylinder head. I'm not sure on the older ones though. Several of the different aftermarket aluminum manifolds have the port on the left. To machine one there would require removal of the manifold. There are block drain plugs that may be used but they are lower in the block and closer to where the coolant inters the block so the temp would be lower than if it was placed closer to the exit of the block. An exception might be if there is a drain at the back of the block but it still may be cooler than the outlet port area. In line hose adapters are available to fit radiator outlet hoses but the unit wouldn't get temp up until the thermostat opens. The non-electric mechanical reading gauges usually have a relatively long bulb and many need a flared seat to seal correctly. Some are odd size threads too other than 3/8 NPT like 5/8 X 18. What thread does your sender bulb have? Adapters are made to adapt to 3/8" NPT.

10-03-2018, 12:39 PM	#8
Johnnydidd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Overland Park, Ks Posts: 559	Re: mechanical temp sensor too long sounds like you have the unit that goes in head, you can get a shorter sending unit from speedway that will work with external gauge

10-05-2018, 01:14 PM	#10
poolplayer1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 399	Re: mechanical temp sensor too long I bought a mechanical temp.gauge for my 55 ford and it came with 3 different adapters. U cannot insert the sender directly into the intake manifold,you have to use one of the adaptors. After I threaded the adaptor into the manifold,I than threaded the sender into the adaptor. Mine is made by Bosh and it works really nice.