Aftermarket temp sensor


JoshT

JoshT

10+ Year Member

⭐Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
5,788
Points
2,001
City
Macon/Fort Valley, GA
State - Country
GA - USA
Vehicle Year
1999
Vehicle
Ford Ranger
Engine
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
Total Drop
few inches
Tire Size
~30"
Hey folks I just recently rebuilt my 84 ranger's 2.8L with an offy intake. On this intake and using the matching upper water neck pretty much the only way to use the stock temp sensor was by switching down to a 1/4" npt sensor and mounting it in the little hole in the intake. I'm not sure that this sensor or the location of it is allowing the gauge to register right as it is a little shielded in the location. I picked up an after market electric gauge to install and since I don't want to disable the stock gauge (and putting it in the same location would kinda defeat the purpose I need to find a place for a second 1/4" npt sensor. I was thinking about making an adapter to install it inline in the upper radiator hose, but being away from the motor I don't know that it would work adaquately. Just looking for ideas on other places to put the sensor. FWIW this 2.8 has the lower rad hose t-stat position.
 
Somebody has to have an idea here.
 
Well, OK - just an idea because I never did it.
Your temperature sensor sends a signal based on the water temperature; so the tip has to be in water.
Now to figure a good location. The higher in the system, and the closer to the heads, the hotter the water. But remember that it is all relative in that if the sensor is on the lower hose, it won't register as high on a gage, but it will register higher when it is hot than when cool. So if it is low in the system, the gauge won't read as high as when the sensor is in the manifold.
Gauges can be very inaccurate. One of my Rangers always read on the high side, my current one always reads low. So if my present Ranger starts getting near the H, then I'm too hot in this truck. This is sort of an experience thing.

The summary is: It all depends. I'd put the sender as close to the intake manifold, possibly in the upper hose.
Just a start, but hope it helps.
 
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