Temperature Sender Size Issue

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Oct 21, 2019 | 04:14 PM

chstitans42

Thread Starter

TheCorvetteBen

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 4,987

Likes: 144

From: Van Alstyne, TX

Temperature Sender Size Issue

I have a 1974 with a 383 stroker motor in it, and it has new style aluminum heads in it. The fitting for the temperature sender is 3/8 NPT and the old sender is 1/2 NPT. All I can find in letric limited's site is listings for the correct reading 1/2 npt size. How can you find a good sender that will make the gauge read correctly with a 3/8 size sender?

Oct 21, 2019 | 04:47 PM

stingr69

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 7,450

Likes: 1,479

From: Little Rock AR

Open the hole up to the larger sender size. The pipe tap is cheap and the tap hole required is just a little bigger than the existing hole. Hard to do after the head is installed but easy when it is loose on the bench.

Oct 21, 2019 | 04:55 PM

chstitans42

Thread Starter

TheCorvetteBen

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 4,987

Likes: 144

From: Van Alstyne, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingr69

The head is already on the engine, surrounded by the car and exhaust. There is an easier way than that I hope!

Oct 21, 2019 | 05:08 PM

aquaroscoe

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 174

Likes: 10

From: Pleasanton Ca.

Not the best solution but why not just get the thermostat housing with the bung in it? like this..

Spectre Performance Water Necks 4730 from summit

Oct 21, 2019 | 05:09 PM

gjohnson

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,803

Likes: 431

From: Denver CO

1980 Corvette uses 3/8 and its for gauges so I believe it would be the same reading.

Oct 21, 2019 | 05:14 PM

speedreed8

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 2,417

Likes: 336

From: Texas

I think Wilcox sells one that’s 3/8.

Last edited by speedreed8; Oct 21, 2019 at 05:17 PM.

Oct 21, 2019 | 05:16 PM

SteveG75

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 10,036

Likes: 668

From: FL

Willcox Corvette has a 3/8" NPT sender. $79. You may also need the adjustable resistor. Give them a call.

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

Oct 22, 2019 | 06:51 AM

AB_in_AUS

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 214

Likes: 36

From: Sydney NSW

I have a 79 which was stroked and new heads when the engine was rebuilt. Temperature sensor was miss-matched with the gauge. I got one of these from Wilcox, worked a treat with the original gauge. I didn't need a resistor.

Last edited by AB_in_AUS; Oct 22, 2019 at 06:53 AM.