'73 454 temp sender
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 1
From: Spring Branch Texas
'73 454 temp sender
Where can I purchase the correct temp sender for a '73 454?
All of the ones I've purchase so far result in high readings at the gauge (engine temp normal/much lower as per heat gun).
Thanks,
g.
All of the ones I've purchase so far result in high readings at the gauge (engine temp normal/much lower as per heat gun).
Thanks,
g.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
another solution is to wire a resistor in line with the sender wire. go to radio shack a pick up a couple 5 ohm and 10 ohm 2 watt resistors for a few dollars. cut the sender wire close( not too close) to where it merges with the wire harness. temporarily wire one or more resistors in series with the sender wire until the engine and heat gun are close. solder everything and you're set. the added resistance to the circuit will reduce the relative voltage drop across the meter and will cause the meter to read lower temps. this won't be as accurate at very low or high temps( the senders aren't linear output) but if you set the resistors near working temps, it'll be close.
jeff
jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Try LectricLimited - they are the only ones who have the correct one for the '69 and I believe they cover most others.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 1
From: Spring Branch Texas
Jack can explain it better, but basically, you will get an acceptable temp reading at a certain range of temps, but inaccurate readings out of this particular range.
G.
G.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
i'm not george of course, but the additional resistors would just move the "scale" while not correcting the "range" . . . hope that helps
edit: sorry didn't see george's response
edit: sorry didn't see george's response
Last edited by S489; Mar 21, 2008 at 12:27 PM. Reason: too late
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If you just put the required resistor in parallel with the sending unit, it will still be proportional throughout the gauge scale; if you put it in series with the sending unit, it will modify the scale, as it would never go to ambient temperature.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
If you buy this from LectricLimited:
06490453 TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT, all (correct resistance and connection, produces accurate gauge display)
You won't have to screw around with resistors.....
06490453 TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT, all (correct resistance and connection, produces accurate gauge display)
You won't have to screw around with resistors.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 844
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From: Central KY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
as i stated in my original reply to geopar, if a resistor is wired in series with the sender, the low and high temps will be inaccurate (as are all the analog gauges on these 35 year old cars) but it will be close in the range that is used to set the resistance. i just think that it's a quick and easy fix.
jeff
jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
as i stated in my original reply to geopar, if a resistor is wired in series with the sender, the low and high temps will be inaccurate (as are all the analog gauges on these 35 year old cars) but it will be close in the range that is used to set the resistance. i just think that it's a quick and easy fix.
jeff
jeff
220 degrees = 70 ohms
200 degrees = 90 ohms
160 degrees = 140 ohms
120 degrees = 250 ohms
100 degrees = 340 ohms
hopefully, i got that right
it would be interesting to compare the results of the resistor solution . . .
