Installing Water Temp Gauge
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Teching In
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5
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From: Washington DC
Installing Water Temp Gauge Not exactly sure how to this. Can you tap into the exsisting sending unit or do you have to drill and tap the supplied sending unit that came w/ the gauge (Autometer)? I would like to keep the stock one going along w/ the aftermarket gauge. I sure you can but I don't have a clue how. Just started to work on my wifes new '99 TA WS6 and she has to have some gauges! 
Just not used to these motors yet. 
TIA,
Just not used to these motors yet. TIA,
There is a plug on the rear of the pass. side head that you can remove and install the sending unit into. There is an adapter that you have to use b/c the threads are different. Not sure what size though.
There is also a plug above the starter in the block on the passenger side. You need to remove the starter to get to it. You will need an M16x1.5 adapter if you are going to use this hole. It's much easier to get to than the passenger side head location.
How much room is there above the starter for the sending unit? I'm going to get a water temp. gauge pretty soon and am going to go which ever route is easier. On the '69 it was no problem getting to the pass. side head plug, don't think I even knew about the one above the starter.
Originally Posted by LS69TA
How much room is there above the starter for the sending unit? I'm going to get a water temp. gauge pretty soon and am going to go which ever route is easier. On the '69 it was no problem getting to the pass. side head plug, don't think I even knew about the one above the starter.
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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From: martindale
not trying to jack your thread, but is the stock water temp sending unit (in the front of the passenger head) used for engine diagnostics or the pcm ie. electric fan control. cause if not. could you just use that hole if your no longer using the stock gauge cluster.
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I found the easiest way is to do a TB bypass and install the sending unit in there. I went to he hardware store and bought a brass "T" fitting. Use 2 barbed hose ends to do the TB bypass, and use the 3rd port to install your sending unit. The water coming from those steam crossovers is going to be about as hot as you'll see. Just install a self-tapping screw and a wire/terminal on the back side with some pipe sealant to and run your ground wire somewhere close to the TB. I had mine hidden under the bellows and had a ziptie around it and it blended in perfectly. If I can still find the pic I'll post it up later. But that way you do the TB bypass and install your temp sending unit all in one process.
I found the easiest way is to do a TB bypass and install the sending unit in there. I went to he hardware store and bought a brass "T" fitting. Use 2 barbed hose ends to do the TB bypass, and use the 3rd port to install your sending unit. The water coming from those steam crossovers is going to be about as hot as you'll see. Just install a self-tapping screw and a wire/terminal on the back side with some pipe sealant to and run your ground wire somewhere close to the TB. I had mine hidden under the bellows and had a ziptie around it and it blended in perfectly. If I can still find the pic I'll post it up later. But that way you do the TB bypass and install your temp sending unit all in one process. LS1 Tech Stories
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Small blue wire towards center is the ground wire and on the left is the electric sending unit. I added vacuum caps onto the TB where the coolant lines entered/exited to plug them off.
