ATemperature sending unit with Vortec heads

[Slik69]

I bought a sending unit without thinking, brought it home and the threads that go into the block are wayyyyy to big. I ordered one for a 97 tahoe (my head came off of) an dit has a different connector for the wire hook-up. Will these work on the dash guage or will I need to buy aftermarket to get to work. I should probably do that anyway to see what my reading truly is.

[Sammy]

I never trusted those ol gages. Just put in an aftermarket one it comes all the adapter and so forth.

[lilred67]

i installed my temp. sending unit in the intake. not the most desireable or accurate place to put it,but it works.

[brian mac]

I can turn down and re-thread the stock style sending unit to 3/8 pipe. This will allow it to fit into the vortec heads. Cost is 25.00. This includes a new sending unit and shipping. PM me if you have more questions.I sold two of these to board members, but I can't remember who they are. Maybe they will chime in.

[Slik69]

Same thing rigtht.. as long as it works. I will still upgrade the temp guage. If this is the only way.. I will be in touch with you. I have a swapmeet in my area. I'll see if anyone has one there.. if not, we'll be in touch.

Thank you.

[Slik69]

I was able to pick up locally for $10. Works perfect.

[JMac11]

Part # please, and where ya got it would be great.

[Slik69]

I see you're a little ways away.. but mine was bought at tops auto in anaheim ca. What you could do is call them and ask for their distributors numbers. Call them, and see if they distribute to an auto parts store in your area. If not, at least you know you've got at least 3 places where they could be ordered if you needed one bad enough.

If you do decide to call Tops, ask for Kevin. He's sharpe and up on street roddin etc.

Now how accurate these guages are I don't know. I do notice though that at times, it runs a tad hotter than the old motor.

[TonyJohnson]

Since no one seems to have a correct vortec sender number for our trucks gauges, I rigged this up to get by until I find the correct 3/8" sender. Yes, I need to clean up that connection...




Parts:
Napa TS6469SB Temp Switch $7.33
Home Depot Watts A-815 Pipe Reducing Coupling 1/2" x 3/8" FIP $4.59
Home Depot Watts A-785 Brass Pipe Nipple 3/8" x 3/8" MIP $1.91
Total cost: $13.83

It isn't ideal, because the length of the sender housing goes almost to the pipe nipple. I used teflon tape to make it tighten sooner and give it some room. The waterflow around the housing won't be very good since it's inside the coupling. The good news is that it works and since our temp gauge is just a "relative" temperature reading, it works just fine. Just remember where it sits in high temp traffic situations...

Anyway, if anyone ever gets a part number for the vortec sender, it would be nice to post here.

[mtdave2]

i used the stock sensor, and just went to a pluming store and bought a step down coupler and a nipple.. works great



we talked about it in this thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=sending+unit

[TonyJohnson]

Same thing, just pipe instead of brass.

[mtdave2]

Originally Posted by TonyJohnson

Same thing, just pipe instead of brass.

yeppers =)

[low'n slow]

I used the stock sender in my LT1 and used a resistor to adjust the ohms to match the old gauge. Works great.

[TonyJohnson]

Originally Posted by low'n slow

I used the stock sender in my LT1 and used a resistor to adjust the ohms to match the old gauge. Works great.

Any details?

[Green Machine]

Originally Posted by brian mac

I can turn down and re-thread the stock style sending unit to 3/8 pipe. This will allow it to fit into the vortec heads. Cost is 25.00. This includes a new sending unit and shipping. PM me if you have more questions.I sold two of these to board members, but I can't remember who they are. Maybe they will chime in.

That's great to hear that someone is taking the stock gauge temp senders and turning them down. That is the only "correct" way to do it. There have been several people that have done that in the past, but seems like they aren't on the board very often or are gone. Finding someone to do that is like finding hen's teeth, I have 2 which is all I need right now for our trucks, but I should order a spare someday.