I want to run a mechanical water gauge on my LS1. HOW?
 

I want to run a mechanical water temp gauge on my LS motor in my buick. I would like to use the port on the passenger side of the head, so does anyone know what fitting i need to do this and where i can get one? I have searched high and low with no prevail. I DON'T want to use an electric gauge either, so please don't recommend that thanks.'

Looking for answers ASAP!

LS1MCSS helped me by turning down the my stock 86 sender to adapt to the LS head..

Give him a try...Very nice guy!

Matt

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...l#post12845623

Check out speedway motors. They make an adapter that will fit in the passenger side head that will adapt an aftermarket water temp gauge

Anyone have a part number? I'm planning to re-use my autometer water temp gauge....not sure it will fit in the head.

The search button (or stickies) can be your friend. :)

Thread is 12M x 1.5. Adapter is Auto Meter 2277

^^

the autometer adapter along with a gauge is what I am running.

Single wire to the engine and power to the gauge and it will work just fine

Or you could drill and tap the water pump by where the upper hose connects.

Apparently you guys didnt read the part where I said I did NOT want to run an electric gauge. the 2277 adapter is for an electric sending unit.

sometimes, reading the original post is your friend.

more than likely this is what I'lll be doing. the boss that is reserved for the truck water pumps looks like a god spot.

Most Mechanical gagues and sender have a very large sender (thread are like 3/8 npt, which is like 3/4" in dia) not sure if it would be safe to drill and tap the passenger head for it.
If you use one of those wierd adapter, it would most likely stick out pertty far and not give very accurate readings.

You can try the water pump or even a Tee in the radiator hose. But you would be reading either inlet or return water temp and not engine/head water temp.

Sorry.. I had analog vs. digital on the brain :bang:

drill/tap a hole in the upper part of the water pump (there is a flat boss next to the TB where I put mine. That is also a great place to bleed the air out of the cooling system.

I drilled my water pump, on the hot side that exits the engine. I'll bet that it reads a couple degrees cool, but I'm sure its close.
Attachment 619147
you can just see the AutoMeter temp sender and wire under the top rad hose.

You could put it in a heater block plug on either side of the engine. They are brass. Easy to drill and tap to 1/2 NPT

We have no idea what your sending unit is like. I apologize for not being omniscient. You must have missed the part about searching.
A search for "mechanical temp gauge" returned most of the other items referenced here faster than waiting for a reply.

Stupid Question?
 

What is a mechanical water temperature gauge? Would this require the use of a thermocoupler, with a molded wire extention coming out of it, to the dash gauge? Or are we talking about a mechanical water pressure gauge, with 1/8" plastic tubing, to the gauge? Thanks

I bought a cheap drill bit & tap ($19 delivered), then drilled the existing hole to the rear of the passenger head. A new Autogauge 17/8" gauge was won on eBay for $27 delivered. Yes, for safety's sake, I did remove the head to make sure no filings remained, and I did replace the gasket ($24).

you can buy the piece you need from Street and Performance. 3/8" or 1/2" NPT I believe are both offered, long enough to have room for the donkey dick sticking in there that mechanical temp gauges use.

And the head bolts???

lest I forget the head bolts...for anyone unaware, you shouldn't re-use the bolts as they are torque to yield. I had an extra set, which helped me decide to take this route.
Thanks for the reminder :nod: