Coolant sensor for vortec heads

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 10, 2009 | 09:51 AM

CWGM1808

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

From: Woodstock Ga

Coolant sensor for vortec heads

Does anyone know if ther is a 1 wire coolant sensor that will fit 1997 vortec heads ? My 1979 sensor and gauge were fine before i changed heads and could not make the 2 wire sensor work that i bought
thanks
cw

Jun 10, 2009 | 11:14 AM

JIM

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 1,190

Likes: 1

From: SIMI VALLEY CA

You need one with the correct resistance.

Jun 10, 2009 | 11:35 AM

0Willcox Corvette

Former Vendor

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 76,656

Likes: 1,853

From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103

St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15

I did one for 77sleeper a few weeks back. If you know someone with a lathe have them turn it down and re-tap the threads to 3/8 npt. There should be enough meat on the original sender to do this with. Try to keep the original sender if possible! None of the replacement senders will send the correct ohms out to the gauge and this will create another problem.

Maybe someone else has found a sending unit from a different car that is accurate.

Willcox

Jun 10, 2009 | 12:04 PM

CWGM1808

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

From: Woodstock Ga

I thought about trying a brass fitting similer to plumbing to adapt to the original size,, machining one is something I didnt think about .
Thanks

Jun 10, 2009 | 12:25 PM

gerry72

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 3,711

Likes: 43

From: San Antonio TX

You can do an adapter from brass in NAPA's fitting stock. It puts the sensor a ways out of the head, but the temp reading is accurate nonetheless. I did this on mine but later just moved the sensor to the intake.

Jun 10, 2009 | 01:30 PM

CWGM1808

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

From: Woodstock Ga

Ahhh moving the sensor is too easy,, probly why I didnt think about it !
Thanks!

Jun 10, 2009 | 02:34 PM

timgman

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 833

Likes: 4

From: Mexico NY

I know it's not "perfect" or as "accurate".. but mines in the intake now.. it fits... if your out of coolant your not going to read temp.... if your out of coolant you have bigger issues than 5% or so deviation of accuracy..
IE: if you see your car running at 30* PULL OVER!!!...

my oil pressure sender is now at the rear of the intake as well...

Jun 12, 2009 | 08:26 AM

CWGM1808

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

From: Woodstock Ga

OK, I installed the original sensor to one of the extra ports on my new intake,, next to the water neck, drivers side, drove it quite a while at 90 deg outside and my gauge was the same as it was before I made all the changes.
Since the radiator, water pump, and all hoses are new I feel better

Thanks
CW