The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Temperature gauge connection - need the Stovebolt braintrust for ideas

1955.2 with a 350 from a 1978 Blazer, 12v system.

I sent my temp gauge off to be repaired and got it back. However, I can't find a coolant temperature sensor for a SBC that is electrical and will fit a 5/8 opening. When I put the engine in the databases of the FLAPS, it comes back with a sensor that is way too big for the hole. I really want to stick with my classic gauges so I'm looking for help from the stovebolt braintrust to come up with an idea or point me in the right direction. I will probably call Summit in the morning and see if they can help.

In the meantime, I'm running a new, mechanical gauge and have it mounted under the dash. But I really want to be able to hook up my classic gauge.

And I have the small round gauges, not the "V" style cluster.

The standard temp sensor for that engine has a 1/2" NPT thread and fits in a tapered-thread hole between the #1 and #3 spark plugs on the driver's side cylinder head. If the heads you're running don't have that port, get a thermostat housing with a pipe thread in it and install the sensor there. The later-model thermo housings also have a 1/2" NPT hole which can be adapted down to a 5/8" thread if necessary.
Jerry