Oil pressure switch install

[jap32]

I have a 1996 2.3 and the oil sending unit started leaking, I got the old one out, but can't get the new one in. I have pretty big hands and can't get the switch started in the whole. Is there a special tool for this? It is a 1 and 1/16 inch or 26 mm I took off the inner fender and I could get the old one out. I tried from underneath and on top and cant get it started. Thanks

 

[ericbphoto]

Not sure where it is on that engine. But on my 3.0l it was a super royal PITA.

My best advice is. Take a break, relax, then go try again. Or get your wife or the neighbors' scrawny long-armed teenager to do it.

At work, we always get Billy to do the jobs that require long skinny arms and tiny hands.

 

[tomw]

The sending unit or switch is screwed into the drivers side of the cylinder head, almost directly above the oil filter. It has a 'pipe thread' and should have no problem being threaded in. If you have difficulty, check that the threads match on the old and new switches. You may have gotten the wrong switch. I would used some pipe-thread compound on the threads to make it seal with low insertion/tightening force. If you have to tighten it a lot, you can crack the cast iron of the head. Not readily, but it is possible. Same deal with the temperature gauge/light switch on the side of the block between the filter and the oil pressure sender.
You do not need to use a lot of force when you tighten either one in place. You can make a new oil switch leak if you apply too much force as you can distort the seal between the bakelite and the rolled metal edge of the sender.
tom