drill and tap head for temp sender?

[bark]

hello, who has drilled and tapped a head to install a stock temp sensor?
did some searching and never really found a how to, is there enouth room for the 3/8 pipe thread style, will I have manifold clearance? don't wanna dive in and cause myself a headache...lol


or should I just buy the adapter found online

[clinebarger]

I drilled & tapped the head on my suburban. You will need a 37/64" drill bit, 9/16" also works.

[bark]

cool, and I assume there is enough clearance....

thanks

[C15_Sierra]

Interested in doing this on my truck...do you have to remove the head to do this?

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by bark

cool, and I assume there is enough clearance....

thanks

Yes

Originally Posted by C15_Sierra

Interested in doing this on my truck...do you have to remove the head to do this?

No, But the engine needs to be out.

[6.0 1955]

For $18 street and performance makes adapters for this. To me I'll spend that small amount to not risk messing up a head. Just contact them and tell them the thread size and sender length for mechanical gauge. They also make an adapter to replace the oil sender with a mechanical gauge system.
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[STOCKISH]

The adapters are garbage. I drilled and tapped mine on my 6.0 Do it once and do it right. Why deal with leaky cruddy adapters?

[72lb4x4]

A bit of searching the internet will get the P/N for a sender with the right thread, or you can get a thermostat housing from a later truck with the right size hole.

Just a few alternatives...

[C15_Sierra]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

The adapters are garbage. I drilled and tapped mine on my 6.0 Do it once and do it right. Why deal with leaky cruddy adapters?

During my research I found a few complaints about those senders which is why I'd been hesitant...I figured why not drill and tap, but am nervous to be drilling w/ a hand drill..

Originally Posted by 72lb4x4

A bit of searching the internet will get the P/N for a sender with the right thread, or you can get a thermostat housing from a later truck with the right size hole.

Just a few alternatives...

I can do that, or try to have one of the guys in the mach shop do it at work, but like I said above, I'd seen some negative reviews of sender adapters

If there are senders that have the right threads and have the right ohm range for the '91 Burb gauges I'm running, I'm all ears...did some searching and found very little info available for stock senders

[Clyde65]

I used the adapter from Autometer, 12/1.5 by 1\8ths I think.

here it is.

Amazon.com: Auto Meter 2277 1/8" NPT to M12...

[Jonce]

When I built my 5.3L S-10, I went to the the auto parts store and bought a new sensor (brass I believe). Then I sanded down the threads enough to run the correct die over it. Once completed, I threaded into the passenger side head and hooked up my sensor wire. Worked for 2 yrs (25k miles) and then sold the truck.

[mcbassin]

Anyone take pictures of this modification?

[72lb4x4]

Sorry, I didn't notice this was in the LS area. I was thinking about the different senders in SBC heads...

[CamaroChris]

I machined a bunch of SB temp sensors down into a 12mm/1.5 thread so that means NO adapter and NO drilling and tapping the block! Talk about doing it right. If you want one PM me for details. !IF! thats OK with the board? I just need to know which sensor you want because there are like 5 diffrent connector types.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by CamaroChris

I machined a bunch of SB temp sensors down into a 12mm/1.5 thread so that means NO adapter and NO drilling and tapping the block! Talk about doing it right. If you want one PM me for details. !IF! thats OK with the board? I just need to know which sensor you want because there are like 5 diffrent connector types.

That's a really great idea. I am the manager at a machine shop and make parts for my truck all the time. I should be able to modify one in a pinch. Thanks for the tip. I have also made adapters for these out of brass.

[Robznob11]

Some drill and tap water pump i just run a mechanical gauge sender on top radiator hose
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[bark]

I never even thought about machining one down, never even considered how much extra meat was on it..... thanks I am going to take a look at it rite away

[farmtrucks]

will this work in the back of passenger head and show true temp on the original gauge cluster
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VDO-323092/

[68GMCCustom]

the adapter made the temp sensor stick way out and look like crap...... so I tapped my passenger side head.

[CamaroChris]

[Thealien]

CamaroChris,

What year truck is that temp sensor for? I have a 72 and the sensors are 1/2 NPT and I couldn't find any sensors that I could turn down enough to work. Later vehicles use a 3/8 NPT with a different resistance and wil not work with my factory guages.

[CamaroChris]

The picture I posted is a 91 3/4 ton temp switch. I have also turned down an 86' I'm going junk yard hopping this weekend to grab a bunch of other year temp senders to play with.
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[Thealien]

if you find any 72s that you can turn down ill take one or two.

[Chevy4Life]

Originally Posted by CamaroChris

The picture I posted is a 91 3/4 ton temp switch. I have also turned down an 86' I'm going junk yard hopping this weekend to grab a bunch of other year temp senders to play with.
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I'd be willing do donate my 67 temp 1/2" npt sender for the test. the sensor end is about 13mm so, some meat would probably need to be taken off all the way down. I have no idea how much "extra" material there is or how this would effect it's operation.

I could take some basic ohm readings before and after also.

I can't believe the gauge companies haven't jumped on this. I guess the $ is in selling us gauges not senders.

[Chevy4Life]

I ran across this link that uses the large block plug tapped for the 1/2" NPT sender. It's not as good as having it in the head, but it's only a few inches away. http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...r-adapter.html

1-Drill and tap the head
2-Drill and tap the water pump
3-Add a short pipe with a fitting in the upper radiator hose
4-Tapping the block heater/drain plug
5-?????????

6- Find or get someone to make a 12mm 72-88 Ohm Resistance At 220 Deg F sensor(If it's even possible) I've cut open a few senders and the large senders use a large wound spring and the smaller ones use a thin flat spring.