Replacement coolant temperature sender unit for Satoh

[Volvoman]

Anyone had any success finding a replacement for the expensive OEM coolant temperature sender for the Beaver tractor? There has to be an off-the-shelf unit at an affordable price.......right? If you have found one, please post the identity on this site. Thanks! Vvm.

 

[PILOON]

Generally the sender must match the gauge.
Also in general senders tend to be 1/4 NPT, so I would guess that an auto parts generic unit would do the job for you.
Might require modifying the dash hole as generics are usually 2" round units.

Good luck,

 

[Volvoman]

The Beaver has a 3/8 NPT sender unit that is connected to a dash warning light only. No guage was available for the twin cylinder Beaver. According to factory repair manual, the temperature range of the sender must be between 221-232 degrees F. (105-111C). Sender is normally open, and closes if temps reach the ranges listed. Factory original sender unit is EXPENSIVE (over $160), so finding an economically priced substitute would be a good thing. I have begun to search, and have found a couple that might work, but the probe on the substitutes is much shorter than the original. Now, this might not be a big deal at all, but then again maybe it wouldn't register the correct temp, either. I would like to find a new sender unit, complete with the lengthier probe end, that operates by closing the contacts once coolant temperature reaches the range listed here. Thus far, the closest I have found is for the 60's Ford motor company gasoline engines used in cars and pickups.

BTW, I find it interesting that the OEM sender unit does not have a metric thread...when everything else on the tractor has it.

Vvm

 

[PILOON]

If the temp indicator is a simple light (idiot light), then any correctly rated sender will do the job as long as the sender or probe has the proper rating.
The probe will then simply be an on off switch calibrated for a specific temperature.
Using a bushing to adapt won't change anything and being shorter might suggest a more versitile design. A shorter probe would simply measure temps a fraction closer to outside of the casting cavity then actual center and won't make any noticable differance as long as it switches on anywheres between 221 and 232 deg.

 

[Volvoman]

Do you know of a specific brand and part #? I am aware of the other parameters...but I haven't been able to find a suitable substitute part.

Vvm

 

[PILOON]

I'd try an auto parts.
Just ask for a temp sender probe and check the temp range.

Re pipe threads:
Noticed that in my metric taps set that the tap was oddly similar to the sae set.
Shure enough it was exactly same, and I verified in some documentation and confirmed that.

Another tidbit of useless info!
(Won a few free 'cool-aids' over this!)
Back then, like '40's-'50s I'd bet folks that their cars had metric threads and the taker would proudly deny any metric on Chevs and Ford products!

Well, guess what? ALL spark plugs are metric threads! (16 mm, 18mm)
YEP, your all american 56 chevy has metric threads!