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Water Temp Sender

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Old Jul 5, 2017 | 04:12 PM
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Default Water Temp Sender

I have done a search for this but all the threads are old. I was wondering if there is any new information available.

73 with aluminum heads. The original temp sender is 1/2NPT, the hole in the new head is 3/8NPT. I bought a sender that I was told would work, not so says I.

I can't drill the head now that the engine is in the car and running.

Is there a 3/8NPT sender that will run the gauge in the 73?

I could adapt it but it will move it out of the coolant flow. I can't put it in the intake because that hole is used by the sender for the fuel injection.

I suppose turning the old sender down to 3/8NPT is a possibility but I was hoping there was a sender that would just screw in available by now.

Thanks in advance

Mark Potter
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Old Jul 5, 2017 | 04:29 PM
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I believe Willcox was offering a turned down sender awhile back. However they, Willcox, has a system to calibrate your sender and gauge to read correctly.

https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...23&q=3%2F8+npt

https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...resistor-68-76

Last edited by '75; Jul 5, 2017 at 04:36 PM.
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Old Jul 5, 2017 | 04:40 PM
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Is the hole in the top of the water pump unused? It's too big but can be adapted to fit your 1/2" NPT .
Either that or a different thermostat housing with the NPT hole in it. Like one of these.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/r...FdO1wAodlIEBjw



http://www.partstrain.com/store/deta...FUe2wAodx1QJ6g
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Old Jul 5, 2017 | 04:55 PM
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Had the same issue with my 72. I ended up using a port on my intake. I have a mini thermometer gauge installed on top of my water pump to check double check temps compared to my dash gauge. So far they're pretty close.
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Old Jul 5, 2017 | 05:21 PM
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I had my auto parts Sender turned to 3/8 NPT, by a buddy that works at a machine shop. works great!
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Old Jul 6, 2017 | 07:39 AM
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I did confirm that Wilcox has turned down senders. I have to call back this morning to see if they have one in stock, they are just about 30 min from me so I am hoping to drive over and pick one up this morning.
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Old Jul 6, 2017 | 10:28 AM
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Turns out Wilcox does not make the turned down senders anymore.
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Old Jul 7, 2017 | 05:22 AM
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Originally Posted by MAP73
Turns out Wilcox does not make the turned down senders anymore.

https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...79-3-8-npt-new
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