Using old coolant temp sensor on passenger side head
#1
Using old coolant temp sensor on passenger side head
My search has failed me so here goes my question i'm hoping you can help me with.
I'm trying to reuse as many of my old dashboard gauges as possible, one of them being the water temp gauge. The old mechanical temp probe is mounted right next to the coolant hose neck on the Vortec Edelbrock Performer intake manifold - basically the old Gen I SBC style. I'd like to use this temp sensor on the passenger side of the LS1 241 heads.
I need a brass adapter that is M12 x1.5 male to NPT (size???) female. I'm pretty sure the LS1 hole thread size is M12 x 1.5 but I don't know the size of the other female end.
Does anyone know which adapter I need?
I'm guessing something like this but 1/8 NPT just doesn't sound right.
http://www.bodykits4me.com/product/6...ter_2277_.html
I'm trying to reuse as many of my old dashboard gauges as possible, one of them being the water temp gauge. The old mechanical temp probe is mounted right next to the coolant hose neck on the Vortec Edelbrock Performer intake manifold - basically the old Gen I SBC style. I'd like to use this temp sensor on the passenger side of the LS1 241 heads.
I need a brass adapter that is M12 x1.5 male to NPT (size???) female. I'm pretty sure the LS1 hole thread size is M12 x 1.5 but I don't know the size of the other female end.
Does anyone know which adapter I need?
I'm guessing something like this but 1/8 NPT just doesn't sound right.
http://www.bodykits4me.com/product/6...ter_2277_.html
Last edited by RYU; 08-03-2009 at 07:53 AM. Reason: typo
#2
It would help if you said what type of car you have.
Easiest way is to measure the threads on the existing sensor. Chances are it is not 1/8 but either 3/8 or 1/2 NPT. You are not going to find an adaptor for that since the M12 hole is too small.
Your options are to put 3 or 4 adaptors together, at which point the temp sensor will be so far out of the head it won't be accurate, or drill and tap the head to be 3/8 NPT (commonly done on here), or build your own adaptor to put the temp sensor in the block heater plug, or add a radiator hose splice with the proper size bung.
All of these options can be found if you search.
Easiest way is to measure the threads on the existing sensor. Chances are it is not 1/8 but either 3/8 or 1/2 NPT. You are not going to find an adaptor for that since the M12 hole is too small.
Your options are to put 3 or 4 adaptors together, at which point the temp sensor will be so far out of the head it won't be accurate, or drill and tap the head to be 3/8 NPT (commonly done on here), or build your own adaptor to put the temp sensor in the block heater plug, or add a radiator hose splice with the proper size bung.
All of these options can be found if you search.
#3
TECH Enthusiast
there is also an adaptor that can go into a rad hose - I had the same problem with a mechanical guage I bought, went with an electrical one , I didnt want to go into the rad hose,John
#4
It would help if you said what type of car you have.
Easiest way is to measure the threads on the existing sensor. Chances are it is not 1/8 but either 3/8 or 1/2 NPT. You are not going to find an adaptor for that since the M12 hole is too small.
Your options are to put 3 or 4 adaptors together, at which point the temp sensor will be so far out of the head it won't be accurate, or drill and tap the head to be 3/8 NPT (commonly done on here), or build your own adaptor to put the temp sensor in the block heater plug, or add a radiator hose splice with the proper size bung.
All of these options can be found if you search.
Easiest way is to measure the threads on the existing sensor. Chances are it is not 1/8 but either 3/8 or 1/2 NPT. You are not going to find an adaptor for that since the M12 hole is too small.
Your options are to put 3 or 4 adaptors together, at which point the temp sensor will be so far out of the head it won't be accurate, or drill and tap the head to be 3/8 NPT (commonly done on here), or build your own adaptor to put the temp sensor in the block heater plug, or add a radiator hose splice with the proper size bung.
All of these options can be found if you search.
I didn't want to daisy chain so many adapters together either. Was hoping there was an adapter already made. Something like the pic below.
The more I search, I think the best way is to convert to all digital gauges. Still hoping I won't have to though but I know the speedo has got to go digital for sure.
#5
Just found an old thread. Goes to show that there's so much info on here that everytime I search I find something different.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...ll-them-2.html
Looks like I won't find that adapter afterall but I may be able to cut and retap the fitting...
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...ll-them-2.html
Looks like I won't find that adapter afterall but I may be able to cut and retap the fitting...
#6
That sensor is pretty damn long. I have to wonder how far into the head it would go.
i would bet it could be made to fit into the block heater if you wanted to go through that much effort. This thread has a pic of how I did my Datsun sensor.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...r-adapter.html
Keeping the interior as stock as possible was a goal of mine.
i would bet it could be made to fit into the block heater if you wanted to go through that much effort. This thread has a pic of how I did my Datsun sensor.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...r-adapter.html
Keeping the interior as stock as possible was a goal of mine.
#7
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HAve you looked at the Dakota Digital dashes, they send you everything you need for the conversion anf the dashes do everything.
I wanted to stay stock on my 66 Nova but after looking at their dashes it was too easy to just use it. Speed input, fuel level, tach, oil, water temp, engine service light (for the CPU controlled engines). It was easy install and looks great. Went witht the green instead of the blue for the softer look.
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd181.htm
I also got there shift indictor kit.
Thing is flawless.
I wanted to stay stock on my 66 Nova but after looking at their dashes it was too easy to just use it. Speed input, fuel level, tach, oil, water temp, engine service light (for the CPU controlled engines). It was easy install and looks great. Went witht the green instead of the blue for the softer look.
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd181.htm
I also got there shift indictor kit.
Thing is flawless.
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#8
This link pointed me the right way! Thank you
As mentioned in this pdf S&P has an aluminum adapter to go from the 12mm to 3/8 NPT - no drilling or tapping required. I just called to confirm and order it. I can't really picture how it's going to work since I still think the 12mm hole is too small to fit the thermometer probe into but we'll see in a few days. I'm hopeful this will solve the problem.
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/08%20catalog/Page%20140.pdf
As mentioned in this pdf S&P has an aluminum adapter to go from the 12mm to 3/8 NPT - no drilling or tapping required. I just called to confirm and order it. I can't really picture how it's going to work since I still think the 12mm hole is too small to fit the thermometer probe into but we'll see in a few days. I'm hopeful this will solve the problem.
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/08%20catalog/Page%20140.pdf
That sensor is pretty damn long. I have to wonder how far into the head it would go.
i would bet it could be made to fit into the block heater if you wanted to go through that much effort. This thread has a pic of how I did my Datsun sensor.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...r-adapter.html
Keeping the interior as stock as possible was a goal of mine.
i would bet it could be made to fit into the block heater if you wanted to go through that much effort. This thread has a pic of how I did my Datsun sensor.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...r-adapter.html
Keeping the interior as stock as possible was a goal of mine.