Oil Temperature Sensor & Reading
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
Oil Temperature Sensor & Reading
Just installed a new oil temperature sensor but used gauge into my '81. Went for a drive and it took 5 miles before the needle looked like it had moved off the left peg. And then all of a sudden the needle does a full sweep and slowly returns to just pass the 100 mark. I continue to drive, watching the gauge and the needle gets to about the halfway position between the 100 and 200 mark and stays there for the remainder of my 20 mile drive.
The coolant temp always shows just under the 200 mark...but shouldn't the oil temp be higher? Around what temp should it be showing?
Thanks,
LannyL81
The coolant temp always shows just under the 200 mark...but shouldn't the oil temp be higher? Around what temp should it be showing?
Thanks,
LannyL81
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Oil temp should be lower than coolant temp, on an 81 the coolant sender is between the inner cylanders and that about the hottest part of the engine and it will flux with engine load. Oil temp should be much more stabil and is a better indicator of actual temp. An oil cooler is a good thing to run since the engine is about 60% cooled by oil, not coolant.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
Oil temp should be lower than coolant temp, on an 81 the coolant sender is between the inner cylanders and that about the hottest part of the engine and it will flux with engine load. Oil temp should be much more stabil and is a better indicator of actual temp. An oil cooler is a good thing to run since the engine is about 60% cooled by oil, not coolant.
Queston though: the part number I have for the oil temp sensor is not available and is replaced with a slightly different part numbers...wondering if the resistance changed between the two part numbers...
LannyL81
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma Washington
not to hijack a thread, but you say oil temp gives a more accurate read on engine temp? I've got a 78 with Edelbrk manifold/carb. Can I take out the oil pressure sending unit, install T-fitting, and install the unit again along with a temp gauge fitting and be alright? Or is there better place to install an oil temp send unit?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Bullshark, yes that will work
Lanny, I don't know. Seems like I saw on a site somewhere in here the resistances of different senders, madvetts? madelectric? partsexpress....somewhere
Lanny, I don't know. Seems like I saw on a site somewhere in here the resistances of different senders, madvetts? madelectric? partsexpress....somewhere
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma Washington
cool. thanks. I just removed 90% of my A/C stuff, so I've got a lot of room to mount some gauges in the engine compartment until I get the guts to rip out that center gauge bezel and replace gauges. I still need to do some more research before I tackle that. I'll do that when it's parked for the Winter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
cool idea, I have a set of 3 gauges going under the hood, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and it came with a temp gauge but not goint to use that, I have 2 thermomerers for the water pump and intake. Thinking about a differential temp gauge on a switch to monitor cooling on oil cooler and tranny cooler useing same gauge
