Gauge help
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 62
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Gauge help OK guys I installed an ls-1 engine in my 51 Chevy pickup. The truck is running and I have went as far as around the block. I purchased a stand alone harness from one of the sellers it works good as far as I know. My issue is that i won't drive the truck until the gauges are working at least oil pressure and engine temp. I purchased the classic instr. gauges and the only thing that is close to working is the gas gauge.I have the stock senders in the ls-1 from an 04 Tahoe. For the oil pressure I would like to get an adapter (don't want to drill and tap anything) and install it on the back of the block where original is. second the sender that they sent for the water temp is completely different from the one that goes into the side of the block like mine(ect). Is there a 3 prong change out for this so I can just change the stock one for the one needed? I purchased a cheap multimeter to check input to the gauges and I currently get nothing except the gas gauge.
Oh yes all wiring grounds etc... has been checked
Oh yes all wiring grounds etc... has been checked
TECH Resident
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Elkridge MD
Don't pull out the pigtail at the front of the head on the driver's side. Leave that plugged in because that's what your computer uses to see what temp you're running. There is another spot at the back of the passenger head that has a plug in it. Take the plug out and put your gauge sender there.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Ventura, Ca
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 62
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Don't pull out the pigtail at the front of the head on the driver's side. Leave that plugged in because that's what your computer uses to see what temp you're running. There is another spot at the back of the passenger head that has a plug in it. Take the plug out and put your gauge sender there.
9 Second Club
Joined: Jun 2013
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Buy the gauge adapter kit that 69ghost linked, it makes life much easier. I am using all autometer gauges and bought that equis kit (prob the same one linked) and it included the adapter for the autometer sender to go where the stock oil sender went on the back of the block, and the adapter for the water temp sender to go in the passenger head. All of these senders can be put in and taken out with the motor in the car. The allen plug you see is the one superdave was referring to, its at the back of the side of the head. All really simple to access. As for the grounds on all of my autometer senders they were ground through the sender itself. Hope this helps.
Bought mine through Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LS1-LS2-LS3-LS7-LSX-Oil-PRessure-Coolant-Temp-Gauge-Fitting-Adapters-PAIR-/161279747237?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item258d05a4a5&vxp=mtr
As stated, there is a necessary water temp sender for the ECM but the opposite head has the same thread plugged. I used that for the water temp sensor.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LS1-LS2-LS3-LS7-LSX-Oil-PRessure-Coolant-Temp-Gauge-Fitting-Adapters-PAIR-/161279747237?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item258d05a4a5&vxp=mtr
As stated, there is a necessary water temp sender for the ECM but the opposite head has the same thread plugged. I used that for the water temp sensor.
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TECH Resident
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 821
Likes: 4
From: Elkridge MD
Buy the gauge adapter kit that 69ghost linked, it makes life much easier. I am using all autometer gauges and bought that equis kit (prob the same one linked) and it included the adapter for the autometer sender to go where the stock oil sender went on the back of the block, and the adapter for the water temp sender to go in the passenger head. All of these senders can be put in and taken out with the motor in the car. The allen plug you see is the one superdave was referring to, its at the back of the side of the head. All really simple to access. As for the grounds on all of my autometer senders they were ground through the sender itself. Hope this helps.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 62
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Awesome guy's thanks I ordered the equus set,(be here Monday). Also Superdave thanks for the info, just wanted to be sure. The gauges and the fan is one of the last things to keep me off the block !!!
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 62
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O.K. this is causing way more issues than nec.. I ordered the eqqquis (sp) adapter set, the oil pressure switch was a perfect fit. The temp switch that came with the classic instr. gauges has a size that is about twice that of anything in the package. So here is my question or suggestion? I saw a youtube video of a guy changing out the temp sensor from a 2 prong to a 3 prong which has the temp gauge read out for the 3rd pin. I was thinking get that sender and put it on the opposite side and just using the 3rd pin for the gauges? or just replace the original one with the 3 pin and use the 3rd pin for the gauges? just did not want to bother the one going to the ECU. thoughts ,suggestions ??
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 62
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Why don't they just make all the DAMN things universal !!!!!!!
I went through the same issue. My 68 vette temp sender was 1/2" NPT. I definitely did not want to drill the head that large. There's a threaded brass block plug on the drivers side of the motor. It's perfect for tapping 1/2" NPT.
If you want to keep the 98 Camaro 3 wire sender, you can correct it somewhat. You'll need to know the temp/resistance for your gauge.
The resistance/temp for the 98 is listed here.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...auge-59-a.html
If you want to keep the 98 Camaro 3 wire sender, you can correct it somewhat. You'll need to know the temp/resistance for your gauge.
The resistance/temp for the 98 is listed here.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...auge-59-a.html