Tom Johnson

1971 350/270, My engine temp. gauge still reads at 160 degrees even after changing my thermastat which is a 185. I am thinking about purchasing a engine temp. guage for my 71 and hooking it up to temp sender just to make sure my guage in the car is working. Any thoughts on this?

71coupe

I put an aftermarket on my car - mainly because the Dart heads I have use the smaller sender, which is not calibrated for the original gauge. I recommend Autometer - great USA made product.

Tom Johnson

A temp gauge for the 71 is around $100.00. Are the temp. guages in our Vettes inaccurate? I am going to change the temp. sending unit and see what that does.

Tom Johnson

ttt

Garys '68

For $100 buy an IR temp sensing gun. I've got one and they're great.

Tom Johnson

How do they work and where can I purchase one?

Garys '68

Raytek makes them. Looks like a gun, just point the laser at a target and you get the temp. Very useful.
Here's a link. http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...&storeId=10101

Garys '68

BTW, most auto parts stores have them.
Gary

Doug70vert

This sounds like the best insurance to make sure that your gauge is correct. My engine seem to run hot, but I wonder if it is just the calibration of the gauge.


[Modified by Doug70vert, 5:39 PM 4/2/2004]


[Modified by Doug70vert, 5:39 PM 4/2/2004]

Tom Johnson

These Non Contact Infared Thermometers sound like the ticket. Would a person aim this at the top radiator hose because the water temperature there would be at the point of opening the thermastat?

Garys '68

Best off to use it on metal. It's a better conducter of heat and will give more accurate temp readings. Aim it at the T stat housing or the manifold near the temp sender.
Gary

Tom Johnson

Thank you for the info Gary.

Gordonm

You can point them a various points on the engine to get readings of what the temp is. I point is right at the head where the temp sensor is. If you point it elsewhere you will not get the reading of the temp sensor. These temp sensors are used a lot on RC cars. They can be purchased for less than 100 and some are very small. I personaaly have a Raytek that I paid 69 for. It has a lazer pointer and I use it constantly on my RC cars. Great for checking tire temps, track temps anything you want.

Tom Johnson

I am still waiting on my temp. sender from Ecklers so I would like to run this by you guys and see what you think. I am going to put the temp. sender and a thermometer in water on a hot plate. With a jump wire from the temp. sender post to the signal wire going to the gauge in the car and another wire from the threads of the temp. sender to ground on the car. Heat the water up and see how the thermometer reading compares with the water temperature guage in the car.

Tom Johnson

I conducted my test today. I also checked the sending unit with a digital volt meter. The sending unit for my 71 is still on backorder so checked the one in my car and a thumb tack style sending unit. (Thumb Tack Style) Omns-56, Thermometer-180, Gauge-155 and Thermometer-212, Gauge-210. (Sending Unit In Car) Omns-29, Thermometer-180, Gauge-130 and Thermometer-212 Guage-160.


[Modified by Tom Johnson, 7:58 PM 4/17/2004]

Tom Johnson

I received the temp. sending unit from Ecklers today. Here are the test results. Omns-80, (Thermometer-212, Gauge-210), (Thermometer-185 Gauge-155)