Ford 1510 Temperature Guage question

[gschones]

I am going to go ahead and add a temperature gauge to my 1510. I would like to keep the idiot light operational as well. Is there another location on the motor where I can add the sending unit for this gauge and leave my idiot light in place? Any help from the gurus on this site is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Gary

 

[skyhook]

Why not put a "T" in where the idiot light goes into the block or head,
put the light on one branch and the gauge on the other.

 

[RickB]

Why not put a "T" in where the idiot light goes into the block or head,
put the light on one branch and the gauge on the other.

Then both can read low. A bad idea. Temp sensors need to be in the coolant flow.

 

[Gunny]

One easy way is to get one of these: Add W1 Water Temp Temperature Gauge Radiator Hose Sensor Adapter Blue 30mm 1 25" | eBay

You'd have to know the size of your radiator hose, but I just ran a general search and clicked on the first link.

 

[gschones]

One easy way is to get one of these: Add W1 Water Temp Temperature Gauge Radiator Hose Sensor Adapter Blue 30mm 1 25" | eBay

You'd have to know the size of your radiator hose, but I just ran a general search and clicked on the first link.

That seem like a great idea. I am going to take a look at that.

 

[gschones]

Does any one know if the top or bottom hose to the radiator is the return.

 

[Gunny]

It should be the top hose, the one with the thermostat.

As I understand it, the thermostat holds coolant in the engine until it reaches operating temperature, then opens so that the coolant can flow from the engine, through the radiator, then returns to the engine by the bottom hose after it's been cooled down.

 

[RickB]

It should be the top hose, the one with the thermostat.

Based on the information provided below, the above would be incorrect if intended as an answer the question posed in post #6.

As I understand it, the thermostat holds coolant in the engine until it reaches operating temperature, then opens so that the coolant can flow from the engine, through the radiator, then returns to the engine by the bottom hose after it's been cooled down.

However, temperature senders and sensors are always (or nearly so) placed on the engine side of the thermostat, or directly in the cylinder head where coolant temps are highest. Maybe this is what Gunny was getting at.

 

[Gunny]

Yeppir, I know that a sensor placed in a radiator hose isn't going to correctly indicate block temps, I was just looking for an easier way for this fellow to add a gauge.

The instructions for the linked part I gave also said to place it in the upper hose just before the radiator, probably because that's just the easiest place to install it.

In any case, it will read temps and while they might not be totally accurate in comparison to actual block temps, it will definitely give a reference point in conjunction with the idiot light.

 

[RickB]

Yeppir, I know that a sensor placed in a radiator hose isn't going to correctly indicate block temps, I was just looking for an easier way for this fellow to add a gauge.

The instructions for the linked part I gave also said to place it in the upper hose just before the radiator, probably because that's just the easiest place to install it.

In any case, it will read temps and while they might not be totally accurate in comparison to actual block temps, it will definitely give a reference point in conjunction with the idiot light.

Agreed on using the upper hose. Lower hose, not so much. Just a waste of time to put one there.