Adding oil temp gauge
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,425
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Hi and welcome
If your oil pressure sensor is down by the oil filter than yes, you can use the port near the distributor for the temp gauge.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 719
Likes: 156
You can use either port. I suggest use the port near dist for Pressure, and port near filter for Temp.
Why? oil nearest filter is more dynamic, continually moving and better serves Temp sampling; whereas oil nearest dist is more static which is fine for Pressure sampling. You may have to juggle some fittings to fit the relatively large Elec Pressure sender near dist.
get an OE steel 90* fitting as used on late 90's GM truck; they pickup Pressure near dist but use a large Elec sender.
I cannot KNOW about 81, but think both block ports are 1/8" NPT; you verify.
I KNOW 71 has mechanical pressure gauge and its hose attaches near dist.
Why? oil nearest filter is more dynamic, continually moving and better serves Temp sampling; whereas oil nearest dist is more static which is fine for Pressure sampling. You may have to juggle some fittings to fit the relatively large Elec Pressure sender near dist.
get an OE steel 90* fitting as used on late 90's GM truck; they pickup Pressure near dist but use a large Elec sender.
I cannot KNOW about 81, but think both block ports are 1/8" NPT; you verify.
I KNOW 71 has mechanical pressure gauge and its hose attaches near dist.
Last edited by ebbnflow; Sep 14, 2021 at 04:46 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If you have an automatic transmission, you could put a tranny oil temp SENDER into the sump pan, then run both senders thru a selector switch so you could read temperature of engine oil or transmission oil as selected via your switch.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
