Water themostat housing query

[will.b]

I have just ordered an after market water temp qauge, exactly the same model as fitted by Si Tate. Could anyone confirm that the sensor that has to be screwed into the housing area, is there a blanking plug that can be used, or can I drill and tap a thread into the housing, or will I need to cut the hose and insert a 38mm pipe to facilitate the connection. Any comments or photos would be most appreciated. The vehicle is an 3rd Gen 3 litre SSRG 1996 Auto. Thank you in advance

[Bogus]

I cut into the top hose, and fitted the 38mm adaptor/ sensor housing. Im sure Blackpool sparks did the same. Im not sure there is a place on the thermostat housing to screw into and as its not all that accessible anyway for removing blanks or drilling holes I took the easy route, which does not involve rolling around on floors and can be done while standing upright without straining muscles you never knew you had.
Sorry I dont have pics, but fitting an adaptor in the top hose is not really picworthy anyway.

[Tallyman]

I've done the same as Bogus and fitted the adapter. I think it's only the 2.4 that has a top hose adaptor housing that has a second pre-taped place for the sensor. I did try drilling and taping the top one on my 3.0 but it didn't take well and the housing split, necessitating the purchase of a new one and the in-line adapter.

[markp2]

I use an alloy tube cut into the top hose like Bogus and Tallyman. However, there is an unthreaded boss cast into the alloy housing where the top hose attaches to the cylinder head. On my previous Gen 3 I drilled/tapped this and used one of the oversize adaptors supplied with the guage.

[Tallyman]

I use an alloy tube cut into the top hose like Bogus and Tallyman. However, there is an unthreaded boss cast into the alloy housing where the top hose attaches to the cylinder head. On my previous Gen 3 I drilled/tapped this and used one of the oversize adaptors supplied with the guage.

That's what I did on mine but had a leak from the joint. Added a few turns of PTFE tape to seal it and that was what split the housing.

[si tate]

Hi will, I had to buy the 38mm housing & cut into the top hose, it's the only way the digital gauge will work.

I was thinking of tapping into the existing sender but it is way too much hassle, your better off doing it as bellow & keeping things simple.

[will.b]

Replies

Thank you all for the advice given, looks like cutting the top hose will be the best way. Cheers.

[Tallyman]

Also, don't forget if you go down the cut hose route that you'll need to earth the adapter to get the sender to work properly. In the pictures above you'll see a little screw on the adapter. That's for the earth lead and the other end goes to any convenient screw on the block, both probably best with ring terminals on both ends of the earth wire.

[michael sa]

Off topic I know, but I fitted one of these a few years back:

http://www.enginewatchdog.com/tm2.html

Very happy with it. Has ability to set over-temp alarm and will still work if the coolant is lost.

Here's a write up I did on the Aussie site a while ago:



Michael

[si tate]

Off topic I know, but I fitted one of these a few years back:

http://www.enginewatchdog.com/tm2.html

Very happy with it. Has ability to set over-temp alarm and will still work if the coolant is lost.

Here's a write up I did on the Aussie site a while ago:

Michael

Not quite off topic, anything that can stop you from frying your engine has to be a good thing.