Aftermarket Temperature Sensor port location

[mybros71]

I have searched this forum to locate a secondary coolant temperature sensor port. I would like to keep the factory guage for now and install better guages in the future. I am not a fan of "just put a tee-fitting and call it good" because I think the sensor needs to be in the flow of the coolant in order to be as accurate as possible. Is there a different thermostat housing I can secure which has a port? Is it as easy as it looks to drill and tap the boss on my thermostat housing?

I would like to get some feedback on the best location to install it.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Tony

[70_F100]

Not sure which engine you have in your truck, but most (if not all) of the FE's had a threaded port in the thermostat housing.

The only trouble I see with this is that until the thermostat opens, the gauge will not display the temperature accurately. That being said, it should be PRETTY close after the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

[mybros71]

Thanks, I was thinking about it today and I'm gon ig to drill out the Thermastat housing boss. Mine is a 390 and has a bodd for the port but it is un-machined. I think what I'm going to do is put the factory sender in the thermostat housing and put the a/m guage in the maniford.

Thanks again,

Tony

[dssco]

On FE engines I put a pipe thread "T" for the heater hose on top of the manifold and installed the stock sender there while the aftermarket mechanical guage sending unit goes where the factory sender went. I've done a couple this way, it works well.

[mybros71]

I did that once on my mom's pickup when I was in high school. The guage was only accurate when the heater was on and the coolant was flowing through the heater core. The other thing is, it looked kinda hokie.