Temperature sending unit question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Salina Kansas
Temperature sending unit question
I recently replaced the temperature sending unit on my '69 after determining it was faulty. However, I now get an excessively high temperature reading (250) with the car at idle. Everything else was working perfect beforehand. Before installing the new sending unit, I read that one should not apply any type of sealer to the threads, since that will affect the gauge reading accurately. My brother insisted on sealing the threads to prevent any leaks. Could this be the cause of my faulty gauge readings now? Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska (no smog tests!)
Originally Posted by turtlevette
It could be making a poor electrical connection causing a higher resistance and bad reading.
its possible.
its possible.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
A generic sending unit from a parts store will read high as you are seeing. They are not designed any longer to work within the correct range for our original temperature guages. You will have to buy one from "Lectric limited" or some other supplier that sells senders specifically callibrated for the old style guage sets. Thread sealer may not be helping but is probably not the primary issue.
Good luck
-Andre
Good luck
-Andre
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Maryland
I agree with AngreaG. When I installed my Vortec Heads I put in a sending unit from a local parts store and it ran at 250+ all the time. Called Lectric Limited and bought the right sender and all is well. I had to intstll it in the thermostat housing becasuse it was a larger thread but it worked. I also agree that you don't need thread sealant or antiseize. The metal to metal is your ground connection.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by Shocker
I recently replaced the temperature sending unit on my '69 after determining it was faulty. However, I now get an excessively high temperature reading (250) with the car at idle. Everything else was working perfect beforehand. Before installing the new sending unit, I read that one should not apply any type of sealer to the threads, since that will affect the gauge reading accurately. My brother insisted on sealing the threads to prevent any leaks. Could this be the cause of my faulty gauge readings now? Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 735
From: Youngstown Ohio
Originally Posted by AndreG
A generic sending unit from a parts store will read high as you are seeing. They are not designed any longer to work within the correct range for our original temperature guages. You will have to buy one from "Lectric limited" or some other supplier that sells senders specifically callibrated for the old style guage sets. Thread sealer may not be helping but is probably not the primary issue.
Good luck
-Andre
Good luck
-Andre
Same thing happened to me.......I bought the CORRECT sender from Clocks by Roger and all is well. Thread sealer won't affect readings if not excessively used.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Salina Kansas
I put in new sending unit today from lectric limited (had to use different connecting terminal) and applied small amount of thread sealing tape. Unit seems to be working fine in early trials. Thanks for all who helped with my problem.