Sensor Identification

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

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Dec 23, 2015

#1

• Dec 23, 2015

• #1

I'm removing the black steel coolant pipes that feed the heater core. I have a few questions in doing this.

The sensor that was originally on the black steel pipe. What exactly is it and is it needed? There seems to be an identical looking one on the other side that mounts into that side lower intake manifold. If I have to keep it, I will be using an NPT reducer to put it in the location where the black steel pipe was fit to the lower intake. Ideally, I would like to eliminate it though.

What is the sensor on the other side of the lower intake that looks like the one that goes on the steel pipe? Is it needed? If I could remove this, it would be a perfect fit for my Ford Racing water temp gauge sensor. Again, I'm not 100% sure of its purpose and if it effects the functionality of my car.

Also, There is a brass fitting on the rear of the lower intake manifold. It's on the passenger side closest to the fire wall. Does coolant need to enter or exit here? Or can I plug it? I'm guessing it was originally coming from the TB. But there is some weird stuff of this Fox, I'm just trying to clean it up and simplify this engine bay.

The motor is a pretty stock 302. Stock intake manifolds (GT40P manifolds going on over Christmas break). Stock ECU, MAF, Ect. If any of this makes a difference for deleting the sensors.

 

B

Bob91vert

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Dec 23, 2015

#2

• Dec 23, 2015

• #2

Use this schematic and match the wire colors and you should be able to determine what it is.

I can't get it to paste?

 

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Bob91vert

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Dec 23, 2015

#3

• Dec 23, 2015

• #3

I'm working on mine and went and checked. It has a green wire and a white red wire. I see nothing on the schematic that shows it? Mine is a 91 also.

 

B

Bob91vert

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Dec 23, 2015

#4

• Dec 23, 2015

• #4

Do a search for schematics and you'll find it.

 

jrichker

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#5

• Dec 23, 2015

• #5

The computer ECT sensor has absolutely nothing to do with the temperature gauge. They are different animals. The ECT sensor is normally located it the passenger side front of the engine in the water feed tubes for the heater. It has two wires that connect by a weathertight plastic connector. The computer uses the data from the ECT to help set the proper air/fuel ratio as the engine changes temperature.

The water temperature sender for the temp gauge is located in the driver's side lower intake manifold. It has a single wire that connects by a push on connector on the temp sender.

 

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

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Dec 23, 2015

#6

• Dec 23, 2015

• #6

jrichker said:

The computer ECT sensor has absolutely nothing to do with the temperature gauge. They are different animals. The ECT sensor is normally located it the passenger side front of the engine in the water feed tubes for the heater. It has two wires that connect by a weathertight plastic connector. The computer uses the data from the ECT to help set the proper air/fuel ratio as the engine changes temperature.

The water temperature sender for the temp gauge is located in the driver's side lower intake manifold. It has a single wire that connects by a push on connector on the temp sender.

Click to expand...

This was the exact information I needed. So I definitely need to keep the ECT sensor. But I can remove the temperature sensor on the driver side lower manifold. And use this for my Ford Racing Gauge temp sender. Not need for both. And the temp gauge is much more accurate I'm sure.

 

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

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Dec 23, 2015

#7

• Dec 23, 2015

• #7

There is a brass fitting on the rear of the lower intake manifold. It's on the passenger side closest to the fire wall. Can I relocate the ECT sensor to here? Then use an NPT fitting to plug the location on the front of the lower manifold.

Refering to the two outlets that were to the steel pipes. I'm capping the lower portion on the water pump and keeping the upper hose going to the thermostat housing still. But I'm unsure if coolant flows to that rear port where I would like to place the ECT sensor.

 

jrichker

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#8

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• #8

What's wrong with leaving the ECT sensor in the two steel pipes? If you have no heater, you just loop the tubes together with two pieces of heater hose and join the two different size hoses together with a plastic male connector from Home Depot.

The ECT needs to sit in circulating coolant for it to do its job correctly. The factory location does just that. Putting it somewhere else is just asking for weird problems.

 

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

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#9

• Dec 23, 2015

• #9

The steel pipes were rusted and leaking. I also do not like clutter. I usually remove whatever I can to get a cleaner looking engine.

So since they were rusted and contaminating my coolant. I just deleted them all together. I live in Florida, so heat in my car is not really needed.

The reason I wanted to move it to the rear location was it wouldn't be seen. And if coolant flows in this area, it should be the same effect. I'm just unsure if coolant flows in this rear location.

 

jrichker

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#10

• Dec 23, 2015

• #10

Make a pilgrimage to Home Depot and check out their brass fitting assortment. Take along the heater tube that had the sensor in it. You should be able to find an assortment of fittings to mount the ECT directly in the lower intake manifold.

Once you find the correct fittings, please post the fitting sizes, descriptions and part numbers to help out others who may have a similar problem. This is a community of enthusiasts, and we prosper by helping each other...

 

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

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Dec 23, 2015

#11

• Dec 23, 2015

• #11

I already know I'll need a 1/2 NPT (manifold) to 3/8 NPT (sensor) reducer if you want to put it where the steel pipe exited the manifold.

I guess I'll put a hose to the thermostat housing and see if water flows out the rear port near the firewall. It would be cool if I could relocate it here.

 

jrichker

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#12

• Dec 23, 2015

• #12

sen2two said:

I already know I'll need a 1/2 NPT (manifold) to 3/8 NPT (sensor) reducer if you want to put it where the steel pipe exited the manifold.

I guess I'll put a hose to the thermostat housing and see if water flows out the rear port near the firewall. It would be cool if I could relocate it here.

Click to expand...

The water temps may be different for what the computer's internal calibration expects. Water flow as close as possible to what the OEM design is what you need unless you plan to become a whiz at modifying the computer program with a Moates Quarterhorse or Tweecer.

 

sen2two

I've been lubing and pulling it all morning

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Dec 24, 2015

#13

• Dec 24, 2015

• #13

Update.

I removed the heater pipes completely. I placed the ECT sensor in the intake manifold where the steel pipe originally exited the manifold. I put my Ford Racing engine temp sensor where the original engine temp sender was on the passenger side lower intake. And moved the stock sender to the thermostat housing. It was already tapped but plugged. The ECT sensor required the use of a 1/2 NPT to 3/8 NPT reducer. The other 2 locations were 3/8 NPT. So the stock temp sender fit directly into the t-stat housing. And the Ford Racing Gauge needed a 3/8 NPT to 1/4 NPT reducer to fit in the factory sensor location.

I plugged both rear locations in the intake manifold with a 3/8 NPT pipe plug.

All fittings were found at Home Depot. Auto part stores are as useless as the person at the counter asking what year make and model with no clue of what most of the parts are!

EDIT: I originally listed the wrong thread sizes. These are corrected now!

 

Last edited: Dec 26, 2015

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