1949 chevy half ton 3100 216 3 speed

New water pump, new 3 core aluminum radiator, 180 thermostat, all new belts and hoses

There is a petcock valve on the drivers side of the engine that I am guessing you can use to drain coolant from the engine. Can that petcock valve be removed and a water temperature gauge hooked up there?

Thanks, hope this extra infor helps