Temp sending unit bushing

[BarnabyHooge]

Hey Guys -

FINALLY got my '71 running after putting in the new intakke gaskets (first real repair). Only thing that went wrong tonight was the bushing holding in the temperature sending unit cracked. When i tried to get it off it just crumbled, leaving half of it in the manifold. I'm hoping an extractor will get it out, but my real question is whether or no I can just use a regular pipe busing to replace it or if I need to order it off the internet. The local chains don't seem to have the part.



Thanks!

[Longhorn Man]

the sensor should be in the head anyways.
I'd plug the hole and move the sensor to where you get e true engine reading.

[BarnabyHooge]

Looks like the hole currently plugged in the head is about the same size anyway so I'll still need that bushing. Can anyone give me a name for the brass pill shaped thing? When I look up "Tempurature sending unit" or the like I get somethign that looks like the unit on top of the termostat housing. I'm hoping to find this thing locally so I don't have to wait any longer to get the truck running.

[junkyardjohn]

A BRASS PIPE PLUG (NPT) REDUCER IS WHAT YOU NEED, & YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET ONE AT ANY DECENT AUTO PARTS OR HARDWARE STORE. JOHN

[zeeklu]

Instead of getting the bushing maybe you can get the right size plug and eliminate the bushing altogether.I usually get that stuff at Home Depot or Lowes. Chris

[cdowns]

not at all unusual for brass into aluminum to find after removing that reducer that the threads in the manifold are shot if that is the case get an oversized plug and tap for bigger threads

[BarnabyHooge]

I saw the bushing on a parts site for $8; just assumed there was something special about it. I'll hit up the local hardware store on my way home.

I'm hoping this thing will back out with a simple extractor but it's so soft I'm not holding out much hope. I really hope I don't have to re-tap it.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by BarnabyHooge

I saw the bushing on a parts site for $8; just assumed there was something special about it. I'll hit up the local hardware store on my way home.

I'm hoping this thing will back out with a simple extractor but it's so soft I'm not holding out much hope. I really hope I don't have to re-tap it.

I purchased a pack of chrome plugs, two each of the common sizes for a few bucks at the local checkers. I bet your local auto parts store has a similar bubble pack. Pick up a pack on the way home. I bet you'll get the old bushing out without munching the threads. Plug that hole then as others have pointed out put the temp sender in the head where it belongs.