Water temperature sensor with vortec heads

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Nov 22, 2004 | 08:58 AM

teniselbow

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Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2003

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From: Denton TX

Water temperature sensor with vortec heads

I am in the process of installing vortec heads on my 77. I find that the existing water temperature sensor is a larger thread than the tap in the vortec heads and so cannot be screwed into the heads. Does anyone know of a compatible sensor that will fit the vortec head tap?

Nov 22, 2004 | 10:17 AM

djgrelli

Racer

Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Pasadena Maryland

I have vortec's on my 78. You must use the matching sender for your gauge. For the time I have my sender in the thermostat housing. You can also put it in the intake manifold next to the thermostat housing. I would like to put it in the head but like you said the head has a 3/8" NPT while the sender is 1/2" NPT. It's easy to reduce the opening with fitting but can't seem to fine fittings to make it larger.

Nov 22, 2004 | 11:05 AM

Simul8

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2002

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From: Hiram GA

I'm also interested in what others have done. I have ProTopLine heads with 3/8 npt. Has anyone used a VDO sender with the stock gauge?

Nov 22, 2004 | 12:27 PM

vettfixr

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 9,206

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From: Sewell NJ

Didn't someone have an answer to this a while ago? I believe there was a Volvo sensor that fit and did the job. Try doing a search on volvo.

Nov 22, 2004 | 12:51 PM

BKbroiler

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Joined: May 2002

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From: Lebanon Township New Jersey

I have Vortec heads on my 77. I also have an Edelbrock Performer intake. I installed the temp sender in the intake manifold, neat the t-stat housing. Seems to work OK.

Nov 22, 2004 | 12:59 PM

Kevin_73

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Joined: Aug 2001

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From: Standing still with all my might Texas

Cruise-In X Veteran

St. Jude Donor '09-'11

I had the same issue with my AFR heads.
I just put the temp sender in the manifold.

You can just see it under the radiator hose is this shot:

Nov 22, 2004 | 01:05 PM

Frankenvette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 1999

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From: White Pine / Dandridge TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by teniselbow

I had the same problem. I went to the hardware store, ACE, and found an adapter that worked. I just tried all the adapters they had on the shelf until I found one that worked. I think I had to cut off the end of the adapter that threaded into the cylinder to ensure that the temp sensor had access to water flow. You want to only use the sending unit that is calibrated to your temp gauge.

Last edited by Frankenvette; Nov 22, 2004 at 01:07 PM.

Nov 22, 2004 | 02:22 PM

stingr69

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Joined: Mar 2004

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From: Little Rock AR

Ran into this myself. I used a die grinder to hog the hole out to the tap drill size then ran a pipe tap in the hole. You could purchase the correct tap drill as an alternative. The stock senders fit fine now. It sounds worse than it was. The hole does not need to be opened up much at all. Once all the original threads are gone, you are about there.
Bought the used pipe tap on ebay for a few bucks and ran it into the hole. If you have ever done any port work at home this is not difficult at all.

A machine shop could do this for you as well if you do not trust your workmanship.

-Mark.