I've read that there will be differences in temperature between the two (front driver head where stock sensor goes and rear passenger head where an alternative sensor can go). I found a 20* difference in mine - with a 195* t-stat, when my dash reads 175 the hose is hard and I can tell the t-stat is open.

When my dash reads 180* the fans arn't on (default on of 205*), but when it reads 185* the fans come on.

As i said, i've read the 2 temps will be different so I'm curious if anybody else has compared them. of course there's a chance my sender may be shot, but I highly doubt it.

 

Swap sensors around maybe? Rule out faulty sensor. Water bleed kit fitted to even out temps...?

 

Also stock gauges in general aren't as accurate as aftermarket. And could be a sensor as mentioned.

Do some more trouble shooting.

 

Which gauge reads higher.
What temp does the aftermarket read when the fans come on.
I've install a Auto Meter in my pass head, but haven't crank the motor yet.
On a '99 model, I thought I read, awhile back that the stock gauge is like a dummy gauge until a certain temp, then it reads correctly. I maybe mistaking. That's why I install the Auto Meter.

 

Same bs here with autometer in passenger head shows temp rising rapidly to 240 at idle but temp gun shows driver head 140, rear passenger head 140 and font passenger head 190. Has to be air / steam pockets. Driving me crazy. Second sensor same crap. Did it, then normal, ow doing again. Afraid to run car when gauge shoots up. Sucks

 

You have your rear steam holes capped or connected?

 

Steam ports are all connected and vented to radiator. I think it was an air/steam pocket because I had removed the intake to get to the valley cover and I had to disconnect the steam hoses. I took the radiator cap off and ran the electric water pump added a little water started the engine again and now everything is fine. Man those heads can get some air pockets.

 

Well, the problem comes and goes. It sucks because I can't trust the gauge. Thinking about putting sensor in water pump to radiator outlet. The passenger head must have an intermittent pocket. Any thoughts on this anyone?

 

Since you bumped this I forgot to update what my problem was (which probnably won't help you very much) - I'd reversed the O2 wiring, lol, so when it tried to go to closed loop mode after warming up the passenger side was basically not firing and I was getting a massive temp discrepency.

When I fixed that issue I found that the rear passenger head read about 5* cooler than the front driver head.

 

Did you ever get this figured out? I have the same issue

 

WHO?? You're replying to a 12-year-old thread.

 

ah crap I meant to quote reply anyway didn't realize when I searched this was so old probably useless then sorry