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Adding a engine temperature gauge to 6cyl LH Torana


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#1 LH173

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Posted 03 March 2020 - 09:20 PM

Hi all,

I would like to add an aftermarket engine temperature gauge to a 173 6cyl LH Torana but I also want to keep the original warning light in the dash connected and left operational. Can anyone tell me where is the best place to add the temperature sender?



#2 Dr Terry

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Posted 04 March 2020 - 08:34 AM

Use the lower thermostat housing off an HR/HK/HT/HG 6-cyl. It has a 1/2" NPT threaded hole which will accept a temp probe.

 

Also that is probably the best place to sample the water temp as it exits the head.

 

Dr Terry



#3 S pack

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Posted 04 March 2020 - 01:57 PM

If your thermostat housing has the boss in the casting you could remove it from the car, drill it out and tap it to suit.

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Edited by S pack, 04 March 2020 - 02:02 PM.


#4 Dr Terry

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Posted 04 March 2020 - 02:31 PM

A 2nd hand housing is likely to be cheaper than buying a 1/2" NPT tap.

 

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#5 yel327

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Posted 04 March 2020 - 03:15 PM

Not if it gets advertised on EBay as “May suit XU1, GTR”. Then it will be $250 inc postage!

#6 claysummers

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Posted 04 March 2020 - 07:00 PM

I think Kilkenny Castings will flog you a brand new one for about $70. But then tools are better value for your money :)

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#7 LH173

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Posted 04 March 2020 - 08:33 PM

Looks like the Kilkenny WOB77 might do the job but from their website it is not clear if it has the thread in the casting, online they are going for around $140. 

 

Just out of interest, if I have the upper thermostat housing with the thread on the top to mount a sender in it would the temperature reading be accurate from this location? 

 

Alternatively would it be possible to put a T-Piece into the factory temperature switch location (near the carby) and mount both the temperature sender and temperature switch in the same location? 



#8 claysummers

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Posted 04 March 2020 - 08:44 PM

I wouldn't do that. Thermostat housing is a good spot. What you're suggesting works for oil pressure but you will probably get s low reading if you plumb the senders outside the head, and it would be untidy. You could find a rocker cover with tabs on the side to carry the wire, or fix to the fuel and vacuum Bundy tubes.

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#9 Dr Terry

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Posted 05 March 2020 - 06:46 AM

The upper housing with the hole will work OK, although I believe it would be better below the thermostat.

 

The problem with Kilkenny castings is that they are alloy, not cast iron & he cuts BSP threads into them, so many senders don't fit that well.

 

You use a T-piece for water temp, because the water must flow past the temp probe. The isn't the case with a T-piece, they only work with oil pressure etc.

 

Dr Terry



#10 LH173

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Posted 05 March 2020 - 11:06 AM

Sounds like the best thing to do is to try to source a second hand original lower thermostat housing with the 1/2" NPT threaded hole or tap a hole into the existing one.

 

The T-piece is a bad idea so I wont do that.

 

Thanks for everyone's help   :spoton:



#11 Chips

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Posted 05 March 2020 - 12:01 PM

i recently did same thing.
got a nice big red numbers cheapest digital one. was a huge pain getting the fitting in. difference between npt and bsp so close but not right. somehow got it working....3 sensors bought but as very cheap no huge loss.
and is impossible to buy a right fit here!
now get to enjoy game watching the temp go up at the lights, switch fan on(need to hook that one up to auto on between 90-95? and off at 80?) I figure the reading is correct as the thermostat i got is for 80.
then watch it go back down when moving again.

 






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