[65 Fixup]

Hey everyone :wavey I have a 65 Fastback 289 A-code car built 2/65. I want to install an Autometer water temp gauge because I just don't trust the idiot lights when it comes to possible overheating. Autometer only makes one size sending unit and it's too large to fit into the stock sending unit location on top of the intake manifold. Is there another access hole that can be used or does anyone have any suggestions. As always, you feedback is appreciated. :winks

 

[Joes72/65]

I'm confused. I thought all '65's had water temp gauges. I only have idiot lights for oil pressure and alternator.

 

[alpha male 67]

hello
not sure what size you got there , but what about that fitting in your water neck? that's where is put mine for one its close to the thermostat.
i like being able to observe the gauge from start up, and know at what temp the thermostat opens. You see this, because when it opens, the temp gauge will show a drop in temp. If you want to make sure the thermostat is working properly, this is the place to put it
but alot of manifolds have multiple ports and you cant go wrong there because the coolant present there is from both sides of the engine either way you will work fine :bigthumbsup

 

[65fastbackinsac]

What Joe said. You should have a water temp guage on the stock 65 guage cluster. You may just have to try having the local auto shop pull up a couple sending units to find the right one. I have had to try a couple different ones on both my stock 69 bronco with original 302 & 65 mustang with shelby intake. Unfortunately my guage is still intermittent on the mustang but that is probably a wiring guage issue.

 

[The Greek]

Since the best location for the sender can't easily be used, I'd also use the port that's located on the thermostat housing. Placing the sender at a location in the rear of the intake manifold (If possible) isn't going to give a true measurement of engine temp. since the coolant at that point will only register the temp of the engine's right side bank of cylinders.

You can always make a modification by drilling and tapping the port that contained the original sender. This can be done without removing the intake and most if not all of the metal filings from the tapping process can be picked up with a magnet. Before doing this you'll need to check if there's enough depth clearance at that port.

 

[65 Fixup]

:yelwacko: Thanks everyone for the quick response. I should have worded the post differently.

Joe 72/65 and 65fastbackinsac: You are correct. :bigthumbsup I do have the stock temp gauge on the dash. It does work but I just don't trust it and felt more comfortable adding an aftermarket gauge.

alpha male 67 & The Greek: Thanks for the advice on the plug on the thermostat housing. That's the one I'm going to use. I checked the stock location for depth clearance and there isn't enough. These Autometer sending units are pretty long. By using the thermostat housing location, I can also keep the stock sending unit and run my stock temp gauge as well.

Thanks for the help everyone. :smilie