joseph p

Does anyone know of a Thermostat Housing which is threaded on top to accept a temp sending unit, that will fit a 1989 350 TPI?
Thanks

ex-x-fire

I don't know of one, the best place to put a temp sensor is in the heads or intake. If you put it in the t stat housing the gauge may sweep a lot.

WVZR-1

I'm not questioning the "why" but here's some "maybe"!

That water outlet has a very unusual "clocking" best I recall. You could take an image of it to a NAPA or any "quality" auto parts store and ask to see an "illustrated buyers guide" to look for yourself.

A FourSeasons 84811 might have a flat plane where a "bung" could be tig welded to it. That would have the correct "clocking" and be a direct fit.

Just Google: FourSeasons 84811 to see what I mean.

A NAPA BK 6051216 might be cast in the same way.

joseph p

Actually not for my Vette but for my hotrod with an 89 TPI 350 in it. The manifold doesn't have any extra ports for a sending unit and the head's outlets (l/frt or rt/rear are very erratic due to hot exhaust ports.
Need to get a reading as near as possible to an intake reading from a carbureted engine...

WVZR-1

I assumed it wasn't for a Corvette and if there's flexibility in the "clocking" of the hose outlet you'll have several choices. The outlet and gasket flange was consistent for many years. Late 60's, 70's and early 80's used a thermo-vacuum devise in the outlets for EGR etc. You should have "no issues"!

joseph p

No flexibility in clocking, wondering if thermostat and bolt pattern is same for '89 TPI as for earlier '70-'80s types.
Thanks

WVZR-1

Yes you'll have no issues with most any outlet that you could possibly find. Maybe the most promising would be the NAPA or FourSeasons piece and have a bung placed in it yourself.

ex-x-fire

Check out the 1st picture in my profile album, there's a tee that I used for the cts that goes in the heater hose.

joseph p

Could not find???

joseph p

Found it...is that location going to give an accurate reading of the engine's true temp?

ex-x-fire

Yes, it reads what the intake temp reads. I found this part on an early 90s 1.9l escort. You could even make one using plumbing tees & npt nipples.

STL94LT1

Why not just drill and tap your own housing, that's what I did on my truck.

Tom400CFI

X2. I did that on a Trans Am I had to run an electric fan. Worked like a charm.

WVZR-1

If there's sufficient material there that's an option. There's I guess a chance that there's also NOT enough material there for the drill/tap. The outlet I would guess could be considered expendable but if there's an off the shelf with a threaded bung I would think that's a "plus"!

joseph p

"If there's sufficient material"....
exactly my problem, as you see in the pic, I'm not even sure that if I were to weld a bung on top, that the senor would not bottom out on thermostat.
Unfortunately I'm **** enough to want it hidden or I'd put one of those adapters into the radiator hose and put the sensor there.
Maybe I should use ex-x fire's idea and hide it at the other end of the hose.
Thanks again

As you see I already worked on it before...to change the "clocking."

WVZR-1

Well the game changes - you need to use your present outlet to match against what's available "off the shelf" from a reliable jobber or buy another and do both operations over again. I actually don't see an issue with clearance to t'stat and the addition of the welded bung would improve that. The sender that you choose will be important and there are several.

coupeguy2001

I have a cast iron one with a temp sensor bung in it. It mimics the early corvette ones except for the temp sender bung.
$25 shipped

joseph p

I really appreciate that, however i need it to be clocked or angle at like 8 o'clock as I made the aluminum one that's in the picture. If it is, I definitely want it. It has to do with clearing my belts and brackets.
Thanks again.

coupeguy2001

Hmmm don't think it is, but I will check.