The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts temp guage sender location on chevy 261?

just wondering if theres an official spot to put your temp gauge sender on a 56-57 chevy 261.mine is on the top of the head in the very back up against the fire wall next to the valve cover.is this the right place,am i getting a hotter reading because of this location?thanks!

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt202/dantheman176/DSC04339.jpg
you can see the sender in this pic,its just to the right of the carb.


Danny

Hy dantheman49-6400, Your picture shows that there is a position more to the rear on the head, that it could also be installed in, that location would give you the hottest reading, being farthest from the water pump/radiator, and it also has an exhaust port underneath it. The location it is in now will probably give fairly accurate readings.

that position that your talking about isnt a position to put anything,its just a little thing in the cast.you can see it closer on the front of the block.its the same thing.does anyone put the temp sender on the side of the block, if there is a port?another question is, what is the hottest temp to safely run this engine at normal rpm,like driving,or idling,not like revving up to the high rpms or anything.when it gets to about 220 i stop and let it cool down for a bit.just wondering.
Thanks
Danny

I have use the same location on my 261. Normal temp is 180 but I don't know that 220 is a good thing. Mine gets above 180 from time to time but 220 seems to risky to me.

Danny,

This engine is in a 1949 truck?

What temperature thermostat do you have?

Do you have an original-style water pump (or one mounted on a relocation plate)?

I agree with Virginiafiretruck, 220 is not a comfort-inducing temperature, unless you have a high temperature thermostat.

Have you tried to flush the engine? If yes, did water drain freely out the drain-cock hole at the lower rear driver's side of the block?

Tim

I think the sender location is the only one you have on this engine. I would check the thermostat first. You can get a infrared temperature tester and check out the system. On the "original" dash guage the 3 marks are 140 180 & 200 degrees, if your needle is going past that 3rd mark or setting on the 2 in 220 your overheated.

alright, well im going to check my thermostat and probably get a lower setting thermostat, because its not circulating the water very good.the water pump is in good condition,its the original style for the 261.has anyone ever drilled a hole in the thermostat?

Yes I drilled the thermostat on my 261 with a 1/8 drill and also ran a 160 degree stat out here in Central Calif as out here it gets to 110 degrees at times. In the winter I ran a piece of card board across the rad to keep the temp at 180 degrees. This was with a 4 core Radiator and did not have any trouble with over heating.
62Blue
Don

thak you DON G for the info.im going to probably do the exact same thing as i live in central calif. also. Thanks again!
Danny