I posted recently about temp sender units for my 70 and recieved some education from the folks on the board for which I am grateful. So here's where I am. I let the car warm up and the temp gauge read 210. Same result a couple of days later. Brought home an industrial thermometer from work that I know is accurate within a few degrees and placed it in the expansion tank. Let the car warm up. Temp gauge at 210, thermometer at 120. No change on either after 1/2 hour. I know the sender units can be off a good measure but this much? Looking for recommendations for the next step to figure this out starting with the least pain in the butt. Thanks as always.
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Re: Engine Temperature
Since they are easy to change and not very expensive, I'd change the sending unit and see what happens. I have had real good results from the senders sold by AutoZone. They do not have the proper markings, but for $6 or so they seem to give accurate readings. There seem to be mixed reviews regarding the replacements made by Delco-Remy. Do not use thread sealer, teflon tape, etc. Try this and get back to us. As a last thought, does the gauge read full scale (hot) if you ground the wire at the sender with the engine running? It shoild. regargless of temp. Engine doesn't have to be running even, just switch turned to "on" position. -
Re: Engine Temperature
Others on the board know more than I do about almost everything, but I had the same problem with my 1960. I was told that newer sending units have a higher signal voltage. I put a 30 ohm resistor in line with the sending unit and it is now close to accurate. You can use different resistance to get the indicated temperature close to the measured temp.
Good luck.Comment
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Re: Engine Temperature
I put the sender in without sealer or tape. It doesn't leak so I left it that way. The gauge goes all the way over when I ground the hot wire. I'll try one of those Autozone senders. Worth a try for a few bucks.Comment
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Re: Engine Temperature
I'm not an electrical expert by any means, but I have read that this will only make the gauge accurate in one narrow range and not over the entire scale. This falls in the "for what it's worth" category.Comment
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Re: Engine Temperature
Bill, what temperature is thermostat? I thought the coolest you could get was a 160. Did your top radiator hose feel like 210 degrees or 120 ?
120 degrees at idle for a 1/2 hour is something my car can't do. I'm running a 160 ther/stat but I'm in a year round hot climate so I run about 170+ but temp will rise up for extended idling periods.
Thanks and good luck,grr#33570Comment
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Re: Engine Temperature
Bill, when I have bought the AutoZone senders, they have always asked me specifically what year it is for. There may be two or three slightly different resistance values for different style gauges. ie, one for a midyear may not work correctly on a solid axle. Just make sure they look up the part # by year.Comment
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Re: Engine Temperature
He probably did not have any water circulating to the surge tank. Best way to measure temp is an IR thermometer aimed at the thermostat housing or the water passage in the intake just below the thermostat. You can pretty well hang your hat on that number. Should be within 2-3 deg of actual coolant temp.Comment
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Re: Engine Temperature
I have a 160 degree high flow thermostat in it. Also, it was about 50 degrees here today while I was trying this outComment
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Re: Engine Temperature
Ed - There must be some water flowing to the surge tank or I wouldn't have gotten to 120 degrees on the thermometer. My local resto guy doesn't have the IR unit. I'll check with my regular mechanic. If I have only partial flow (if that's possible) to the surge tank, what do you think the culprit is?Comment
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