Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69!
#1
Le Mans Master
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Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69!
Yesterday I finally got the plug out of my left hand head and installed the WT510 (Borg Warner) temp sensor in my car. It was late and my battery was dead so I didn't get to test it.
This afternoon I fired the car up and did the test, it seems to read about 40 degrees high according to the temperature switch on my Spal fans. My fans are supposed to come on at 195 and off at 175, according to the temp gauge the fans kicked on at 235 and off at 215.
I checked through the archives and found a post from Chuck Harmon where he had the same problem, I'm not sure which sensor he was using but he seems to have found the same problem.
FRom Chuck's post...
An inline resistor isn't a sure fire cure all for this problem, since the resistance in the acutal sensor is not linear. With the 15 ohm inline fuse, accuracy of the gauge will only be assured when the gauge is near the center of the gauge and will loose accuracy at either end of the scale.
I will probably leave it hooked up but I will add another gauge with a matching sensor, inside my L88 hood opening. I figure a couple of extra gauges won't reduce the cold air intake too much. :D
This afternoon I fired the car up and did the test, it seems to read about 40 degrees high according to the temperature switch on my Spal fans. My fans are supposed to come on at 195 and off at 175, according to the temp gauge the fans kicked on at 235 and off at 215.
I checked through the archives and found a post from Chuck Harmon where he had the same problem, I'm not sure which sensor he was using but he seems to have found the same problem.
FRom Chuck's post...
just checked the archives. It was a year ago, almost to the day that I posted this. My gage was reading 40 degrees hot (not 50-60 as stated earlier) and I used a 15 ohm insline resistor to get it within 5 degrees of true. I believe I left it 5 degrees on the hot side just to be safe since they didn't have a 17 ohm resistor in the assortment. It worked out to be 2.33 degrees temp change per ohm. Other sensors may very slightly.
I will probably leave it hooked up but I will add another gauge with a matching sensor, inside my L88 hood opening. I figure a couple of extra gauges won't reduce the cold air intake too much. :D
#2
Racer
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Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Smokehouse69)
Man dont you think adding another water temp gauge is just overkill. You know whats up with it. My volvo temp sensor seems closer than that although I am not quite sure when I am full hot and my flex-a-lites are on I am reading somewhere round 210. Where do your spals get thier reading from? Perhaps you can account for some of that difference there being sure its not between cylinder heads that they read.
#3
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Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Spook)
It might be overkill, but I have a gauge that I'm not using right now( I'm going to eventually use it for a transmission temp gauge) and I have a $3600.00 vested interest in not toasting my ZZ4! :D
My current Spal fan switch controller is located in the intake manifold, my old original 1/2" temp sensor is also in the intake. The old sensor would never go much above 180-185 indicated on the dash gauge. While the Spal switch would cycle on and off I never saw much movement on the temp gauge.
I am going to try and remove the plug from the driverside head tonight and move the Spal switch to that location and see what it does. The water temp should be fairly close to the same in the heads. Then I'll be able to see exactly how far off the Volvo sensor is off compared to the Spal switch.
My current Spal fan switch controller is located in the intake manifold, my old original 1/2" temp sensor is also in the intake. The old sensor would never go much above 180-185 indicated on the dash gauge. While the Spal switch would cycle on and off I never saw much movement on the temp gauge.
I am going to try and remove the plug from the driverside head tonight and move the Spal switch to that location and see what it does. The water temp should be fairly close to the same in the heads. Then I'll be able to see exactly how far off the Volvo sensor is off compared to the Spal switch.
#4
Team Owner
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Smokehouse69)
I also have some model of Volvo temp sensor because of aluminum heads. Even though I went through the parts book and cross referenced what I thought had the same value range as my stock 79 sensor. It's 20 degrees high. I just don't worry. Cool weather my 180 thermostat reads 200. When I put int a 190 stat the gauge says 210.
#5
Safety Car
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Smokehouse69)
You guys lost me here. Your using a Volvo sensor to run the fans? My temp gauge runs off a sensor in the LH (drivers side) head and it's right on the money. I'm installing a set of Subaru progressive fans ('90 - '92 Legacy) on my stock HD radiator (absolutely perfect fit) and need to locate a sensor somewhere, so I'm all ears!
Hans
Hans
#6
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Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Wrencher)
I think they are using the Volvo sensor with their console gauge. I installed dual spals and located the fans sensor in my intake (it was easier than the head). My stock gauge sensor is located in the left head. According to my gauge, the fans cut on at 195 degrees so it seems my gauge and both sensors are functioning together quite well.
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Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Older Than Dirt)
I guess no one will ever listen to me. Use an 1982 vette sensor. It's alot closer than the volvo. But what do I know, I just put one it a LS1 and I trust it. :cheers:
#8
Team Owner
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Wrencher)
Hans - The aftermarket heads have an odd size temp sender tapped hole for running the console temp gauge. I just decided to put a brass plug in mine and run a stock type sensor up near the thermostat gooseneck.
Most electric fan sensors need to be placed near the radiator end pan.
I still don't really have enough CFM with the twin Spal fans.:(
Most electric fan sensors need to be placed near the radiator end pan.
I still don't really have enough CFM with the twin Spal fans.:(
#9
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Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Wrencher)
You guys lost me here. Your using a Volvo sensor to run the fans? My temp gauge runs off a sensor in the LH (drivers side) head and it's right on the money. I'm installing a set of Subaru progressive fans ('90 - '92 Legacy) on my stock HD radiator (absolutely perfect fit) and need to locate a sensor somewhere, so I'm all ears!
Hans
Hans
Buddy - The '82 sensor, will it fit in the intake and does it read correctly with the stock guage?
#10
Safety Car
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (gkull)
OK I get it. George, I don't know the CFM on the Subaru fans, but one is 13" and the other is 11" and they move a lot of air through the same size core. Granted it's only one row, but I'm impressed.
Hans
Hans
#11
Le Mans Master
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (tshort)
Don't know what size the ZZ4 threads are but I agree with Budman, I am using an 82 sending unit in a 91 aluminum-head L98 TPI motor and the gauge is within 10 degrees. It is a smaller diameter sender than the early 70s ones.
#12
Team Owner
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Wrencher)
Not to highjack the original post. I've heard of people also placing an inline variable resistor in to dial in the temp gauges.
Hans - There is no free lunch when it comes to fans. CFM takes amps. with the addition of the Spal duals I had to increase my alternator to a 100 amp power master. I think the spals draw something like 30 amps and I have one on when the motor fires and one manual switched.
They both have to be blasting and don't keep up road racing in hot weather.
[Modified by gkull, 2:42 PM 12/3/2003]
Hans - There is no free lunch when it comes to fans. CFM takes amps. with the addition of the Spal duals I had to increase my alternator to a 100 amp power master. I think the spals draw something like 30 amps and I have one on when the motor fires and one manual switched.
They both have to be blasting and don't keep up road racing in hot weather.
[Modified by gkull, 2:42 PM 12/3/2003]
#13
Melting Slicks
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Budman78)
I guess no one will ever listen to me. Use an 1982 vette sensor. It's alot closer than the volvo. But what do I know, I just put one it a LS1 and I trust it. :cheers:
BUT - people seem hellbent on using this Volvo thing...
Whatever....
#14
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Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (pws69)
Please post the link, #, and cost of the Lectric limited unit. I'm interested. I think my Borg Warner sensor was about $11, so if it a couple of bucks more it would be worth the cost.
I check the inline resistor trick. No go, the ohm ration was the wrong direction.
I check the inline resistor trick. No go, the ohm ration was the wrong direction.
#15
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Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (pws69)
I think the "Tinker Desire" has taken over this! I also suggested Lectric Limited - they sell units that are physically and electrically EXACTLY like the originals.... I have been extemely happy with mine.
BUT - people seem hellbent on using this Volvo thing...
Whatever....
BUT - people seem hellbent on using this Volvo thing...
Whatever....
#16
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Smokehouse69)
Smokehouse69,
Had the same problem. This is what I did.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=512286
Had the same problem. This is what I did.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=512286
#18
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Smokehouse69)
Smokehouse,
Cut a 1/2 stainless pipe coupling and a 3/8 stainless pipe nipple to correct length. A TIG welder and wala. Be sure the nipple is centered in the coupling before welding so tip of temp sensor will have clearance. Adapter sticks out from the head a little more than normal but sure beats having it re-drilled and tapped or trying to find another sensor thats close.
Cut a 1/2 stainless pipe coupling and a 3/8 stainless pipe nipple to correct length. A TIG welder and wala. Be sure the nipple is centered in the coupling before welding so tip of temp sensor will have clearance. Adapter sticks out from the head a little more than normal but sure beats having it re-drilled and tapped or trying to find another sensor thats close.
#19
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Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (82zoom)
I see a side business. I just applied for the patent. :jester I beat you could sell a few dozen a year here and who knows on ebay. The hole in my LS1 head was 13mm, so I had to drill and tap.
#20
Re: Testing the Volvo temp sensor in my 69! (Budman78)
Budman,
I thought about doing just that back in March but no one seemed very interested when I posted. My wife just bought me a MIG welder for x-mas so who know's maybe I'll have a new career.
I thought about doing just that back in March but no one seemed very interested when I posted. My wife just bought me a MIG welder for x-mas so who know's maybe I'll have a new career.