please help... installing autometer water temp gauge (sending unit prob.)

[yellowstang1994]

Hi guys,

I got a problem and been searching but I don't know if there is any diff. in the mechanical gauge fittings over an electrical so I will re-ask. I just got an autometer water temp gauge. The sending unit they supply with the gauge won't fit completely in their adapter. I supplied a pic to show you guys what I mean.

View attachment 469270

The outside threads on the adapter are 5/16 NC 18 which appear to be the same thread as the stock sending unit. That appears to be no problem. The inside threads are 1/8 NPT 27. I tried tapping the adapter and either my tap set really sucks or brass is a pain to tap. The problem is I think the sending unit needs to be re-threaded and I can't fit the die over the unit. Does anyone have any ideas? I don't see how the sending unit can work being stuck inside the adapter? I'm clueless.

 

[urban96]

mines like that too, dosent come completly out of the bottom.. i never really thought anything of it

 

[WhiteDevil]

Yeah mine is like that too. I was worried as well but i just put it in. Im always in the 180-190 range.

 

[Black Stampede]

If its not in all the way would that cause the temp to be higher or lower than what it really is?

 

[illwood]

If its not in all the way would that cause the temp to be higher or lower than what it really is?

Hmm, good question. I would think that it would tend to create a "pocket" of coolant that didn't flow with the rest of it and might read on the cooler side.

I run the mechanical gauge setup, so it's just a guess as to how it would affect the electric gauge.

 

[HISSIN50]

In theory any little alcove creates a point of stagnant coolant so the probe is heated radiantly rather than in real time. But there is enough turbulance in the system and that's such a small alcove, me thinks it doesnt matter.

I'll also say that the last AM elec temp gauge I installed also didnt thread through all the way.

 

[yellowstang1994]

Okay so I guess everything is supposed to be normal then. Actually I tried rethreading the brass and I got 1 or two more threads out of it so I got it to actually sit a hair down more. Not much but I guess I'll throw it in there and see what happens. I hope I didn't damage the sending unit because I cracked the base of it a little bit with my brute force. A new one from summit costs $13 more than the gauge and everything it's self, lol. Thanks guys!

 

[mustanggt9550]

Mines the same way... My 355 in my truck shows it runs right at 180... all day long... Just install it I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[yellowstang1994]

Just finished it up today. It appears to work fine. It's better then the stock gauge not working at all, lol. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[zenboy99]

Okay so I guess everything is supposed to be normal then. Actually I tried rethreading the brass and I got 1 or two more threads out of it so I got it to actually sit a hair down more. Not much but I guess I'll throw it in there and see what happens. I hope I didn't damage the sending unit because I cracked the base of it a little bit with my brute force. A new one from summit costs $13 more than the gauge and everything it's self, lol. Thanks guys!

I busted my Autometer sending unit. Went out and bought a Ford unit and the reading is WAY off! ECT temp on the tweecer is 80 deg and the gauge reads 210. Do you know for sure if that Summit gauge is the correct one? I tried contacting Autometer and the local stang store, but they haven't gotten back to me.