kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

I did the conversion on my 1969 Camaro with a LS-2 and am using the factory 69' center console gauges. The sending unit I got was for a autometer gauge, but the temp is way off. Has anyone had any luck with finding a sending unit that works? The original one is way too big to fit. It will have to be one of the mini's.

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

On my 68 vette I tapped the drivers side brass block plug for 1/2" NPT. It's about the only place to put the huge sender.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

I may put a fitting on one of my radiator hoses? I think that will be easier.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

Come on, someone has had to use a smaller style temp sender in the pass side head that is the same ohms as the factory large sender??? I have one in there from Autometer with the adaptor, but it is way off.

Docked Wage

Assuming you used the Autometer Adapter in the passenger side head like me...

I looked all over the place for a sender that was close for a 67 Camaro swap. I did not have much luck. I managed to get close but the gauge reads on the cool side of the normal range. The sender I used was at NAPA and was: ECHTS6676, 1/8"-27 NPT, 91-109@220 degF

FWIW the gauge wants 72-88 ohms at 220F.

I was going to look into getting different resistors for the back of the gauge to match the impedance of the sender but have not followed up on that yet.

Ken

Docked Wage

Here's a thread that talks about resistance values of the original sender.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=137288

Docked Wage

Just thinking out loud here....

Instead of trying to find a special value of a special resistor....

I'm thinking I should try adding (in the wire from the sender to the gauge) a shunt to ground with a potentiometer that would allow a reduction in the overall resistance (to ground) the gauge gets.

Pop N Wood

iTrader: (1)

The M12 thread for the LS style temp gauges is much smaller than 95% of the old style temp senders. It is hard to find aftermarket stuff that fits them.

IMO the best way to retain stock gauges is to use stock senders. The head can be drilled and tapped to a 3/8 npt, you can even do it with the heads on the car. But if that isn't big enough then putting an adapter into a heater hose or the block heater plug is your next best option. I did the block heater, they are brass and readily tap to a 1/2 npt.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

That is a step in the right direction. I had considered the fitting in the heater hose, and was also considering drilling and welding a bung on the thermostat housing, like some of the old school cars had. I was just trying to not have it stand out like a soar thumb. I was leary about drilling and taping the head with it being on the car. With my luck I would break a tap in the head and be screwed. Was hoping someone made a small style sender that was about the same ohms as stock to avoid all the add on's. Thanks to everyone that added input on this thread.

groundczero

iTrader: (2)

In my 1977 vette I put the sensor in the heater hose. In my 85 mustang I just drilled and tapped the block right at the heater hose.

Both ways work very well.

kwkrat2

iTrader: (2)

Well, I think i found a a unit that fits in the auto meter adaptor for the pass side head.
Standard # TS131 seems to be close to the factory. The first large line(1/4) is 172deg on the scanner. I can't get it hot enough in the cold weather to go further.

LS1MCSS

iTrader: (18)

If you decide you want to try a TS76 sender, which is for a gm from early 80's to early 90's, I'll re-thread one 12MM and ship it to you for $22. I keep a supply of them on hand just for that purpose.

Docked Wage

What's the resistance @ 220F? If it's 72-88 ohms I'll take one.

m0ondoggy

How do you rethread 3/8-18 NPT to a larger 12mm? Just curious.

Docked Wage

The 3/8 NPT is a pipe thread spec and is actually referring to the ID of the pipe itself so the thread is larger than that.

Since there's plenty of meat there, I suspect that he chucks the brass sender in a lathe and turns the threaded area down, makes sure there's a flat (for the seal washer) and then rethreads it to the 12mm dimension.