The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Stock temp gauge with new 350

Can the stock temp gauge out of a 1951 chevrolet work with a new style 1987 350 temp sensor.It looks like the old gauge used some kind of metal line/tube. and the 350 has a electrical type sensor.
Also my 350 sits a little low in the engine bay. The center of the fan is about even with the bottom of the old stock I6 1951 radiator maybe an 1" or so above that at most. will this setup be fine if the truck is driven at highway speeds for any hour or so? or should i switch over to electric fans?

That's a common issue when putting a V8 or later 6 in the earlier truck. A shroud or electric fan would definitly halp in proper cooling, as the fan being so low without a sroud will not pull much air through the radiator.
On the temp gauge, you should be able to re-use the stock gauge. You'll need an adapter bushing (which I do not recall the Napa-Echelin number for) to allow the original temp sensor bulb to fit the hole in the engine. The gauge will work fine with the V8.

Just wondering what should i ask for at the auto store for the wire/tube that connects the sensor to the gauge? Im not sure what i would call it, and the only thing about cars the guys at my local auto stores know is how to type a part name into the computer.

If you still have the old motor take the adapter out of the block. Then you can go to the hardware store and get a bushing if you need it to make it fit your intake manifold or head. Be cautious with the tube for your gauge, its filled with gas and if it gets open the capillary tube will leak out and the gauge will not work.

It didnt have the old inline 6 when i bought the truck it had a 283 in it and the previous owner had just cut the line.

Ooh, that's not good. The line for the original gauge ended in a bulb that went in the head on the left rear corner. The bulb and line were filled with ether. Since the line has been cut, you would be looking at replacng the line and refilling it, not many places do that anymore. You might consider checking out some of the aftermarket gauges, I have seen stock style clusters that are setup internally with modern 12 volt electrics so that they'll work with a later model engine. I beleve the gauges themselves are available separately, so that they can be installed in the original housing. If it still has the stock 30 psi oil pressure gauge, you might consider putting in the 60 psi conversion gauge as well.

Ok thanks ill look into the aftermarket gauges