ToniH

I have a oil pressure sensor in a port above oil filter. I was wondering what would be the best place to install the oil temp sensor on 454 BBC?

Thanks.

jb78L-82

I replaced my dumb non working analog clock in the gauge cluster in the mid 80's with an 81/82 oil temp gauge which matched the other gauge style perfectly. On a SBC, not a BB, the oil pressure switch is located above the oil filter on the block as you described. On the 81/82 C3's with an oil temp gauge, GM relocated the oil pressure sending unit to the block port at the back of the motor right below the distributor and put the oil temp sending unit in the oil filter location which is exactly what i did on my 78. Do the BB's have the port at the back of the block near the distributor for you to do the same?

Belgian1979vette

In the pan.

7t9l82

Rebelrob

Just went thru this and opted against it. To have accurate reading you need to have it in the oil pan. Which means drilling and welding in bung or some after market pans already have this port. I had a T fitting coming out of the port above the oil filter for my electric sender, but it was not accurate. The highest temp I registered was about 150.

68-427Rich

Some Mark IV blocks have two pipe plugs on the LH side, just above the oil pan rail.

ToniH

Thanks guys. I was hoping for something a bit easier than the pan but I guess it is the best place.

I will check for the plugs you mention Rich.

7t9l82

you could put it where the drain plug is,

Richard454

Here's a real easy way-

Use a Oil filter sandwich adapter to run an oil cooler-about $50...

Richard

jb78L-82

Looks like we have a winner!!!

ToniH

I was looking at those earlier today and noticed that they seem to come with a thermostat which opens the output channel only when the oil cooler is needed. This would obviously complicate things with the temp gauge. Unless of course I actually install a oil cooler and put the sensor into the output hose.

At this time putting the sensor in place of the drain plug seems easiest until I remove the pan and get it done properly (next winter).

Rebelrob

Yes, my Mark IV block has the 2 plugs = (4 bolt) ( good luck getting that 3/4 inch pipe plug out with engine installed)... yep, I thought about doing the drain plug option. But the threads are different on the pan vs the NPT extension I would need to adapt to the sender. The sender was a good 2-3 inches long. (mechanical Autometer) At that point it would of been really close to the ground as my car sits lower than most. Was not a good idea as that would be catastrophic failure if you ripped it off on the road. The pan is really the best/accurate option.

ToniH

My electric Autometer sender is quite small and short. Its about 1" from midpoint of threads to the outer end. And adapter adds another 1/2".



Well, if the drain plug installation doesn't look viable I'll install the gauge among others but leave the sender installation to later date when I remove the oil pan.