'87 302 Oil Pressure Sender

85_Ranger4x4 · May 28, 2011

I have my truck tore down to fix a some leaks related to the oil filter relocation kit and while I am here I would like to get the factory gauge working on the dash.

Is there a way to mount a can type sender on this engine? The regular 2.8 one is too big to fit in there, the oil filter adaptor is plain and simple too tight... I don't see where this thing could go. Looking online the regular 302 ones look the same. If I put a nipple and a coupler in the regular port I think it will be into the power steering pump.

I am running the front dress with the one short micro-v belt something like what I hear a '87 Crown Vic has... the more I am around it the more I don't like it.

skx762 · May 28, 2011

Thanks, you pointed out something ELSE I need to change out. @@

Does yours have a long hex adapter between the block and the sending unit? On my current set up it has a small sending unit going right into the same hole that the hex adapter goes into and it has a thin line that runs all the way back to the gauge.

The hex adapter on my new block bolts into a hole between the timing chain case and oil filter area sort of and has a small bell shaped thing that could be called a "can" I guess.

Don't know if that helps and I am stretching my mechanical vocabulary. Trying hard not to use the word "thing-a ma-jig".

85_Ranger4x4 · May 28, 2011

Nope, pictured is what it had originally. Just a on/off switch for an idiot light.

skx762 · May 28, 2011

I got an oil line coming out of that spot that goes to my pressure gauge. Since you showed me yours, I will show you mine:

The pressure gauge is a no name product.

Teddyzee · May 29, 2011

I used the extension off my 4.0, to a black pipe Y fitting, the after market large sender on top (2 wires), the dash sender on the bottom.
If you look closely, the extension is painted blue, with teflon tape on the threads. The extension ends with a 45* angle. You're looking at the lower radhose and top of the steering box here.

The engine originally had no extension, as seen below:

85_Ranger4x4 · May 29, 2011

Hmm, I don't remember my 2.8 having an extension like that, I will have to check that out.

Right now I just have a line coming out of that port for my mechanical gauge, but I really don't like the dead gauge on the dash. I can move the mechanical to the oil filter adaptor because it is much more compact than the can thing.

Psychopete · May 29, 2011

Autometer sender wouldn't fit in there on mine, so I went to the hardware store and bought some pipe to locate it further away from the engine.

85_Ranger4x4 · May 30, 2011

Psychopete said:
Autometer sender wouldn't fit in there on mine, so I went to the hardware store and bought some pipe to locate it further away from the engine.

I thought about that, but just eyeballing it by the time it clears the block it interfers with the steering box. Dunno if I could get a 45 degree elbow to end up going the right way and clear everything. It seems everytime I have to rely on pipe thread it is loose right where I want it and either way looser or in danger of stripping something otherwise.

85_Ranger4x4 · May 30, 2011

I grabbed the fitting of my 2.8, I had to get down to oil pan level to see it. Short stubby hex fitting that is a lot thicker than I think it would have to be, with all the grease on it it looked like a boss sticking out of the block. Cleaned it up, taped it, stuck it on pointing down and ahead and it fit great.

Psychopete · May 31, 2011

Sweet!

'87 302 Oil Pressure Sender

85_Ranger4x4

Wallers in rivers

skx762

10+ Year Member

85_Ranger4x4

Wallers in rivers

skx762

10+ Year Member

Teddyzee

December 2011 STOTM Winner

85_Ranger4x4

Wallers in rivers

Psychopete

15+ Year Member

85_Ranger4x4

Wallers in rivers

85_Ranger4x4

Wallers in rivers

Psychopete

15+ Year Member

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