temperature gauge plug in on 409/409

[Jim Cation]

had my 62 impala ss 409/409 for almost 3 months now and am still learning. even though it is bone stock, and I want to keep it that way, I really want an actual temperature gauge (in addition to leaving the idiot light hooked up, if possible). I have been told there is an auxiliary (second) plug- in on the block and we can leave the original one in place. I have looked and read the shop manual and can't find it. Please help. If there is no second one I will have to disconnect the idiot light. Thanx!

 

[Don Jacks]

The only place I've ever seen a temp sender is in the intake manifold,but one could place one in a "t' arangement,such as is often done when adding an aux.oil pressure gauge.

 

[Nuts]

I have seen this done a couple of different ways. One of the best ways I've seen is to get a later model thermostat housing that will except a temp gauge sending unit. Others have put one in where the bypass hose is. OBTW welcome to the site !

Bill

 

[Jim Cation]

THANKS GUYS!! This website is the absolute best - and the members are even better!

 

[Dick MacKenzie]

Here's one way. Use your regular sending unti in the stock location and a couple pipe fittings from your local hardware store with the gauge sending unit in it. Not real pretty unless you're handy with a grinder and can smooth out the fittings but it gets the job done.

 

[Jim Cation]

Thanx

 

[tripower]

You could run a 61' temp gauge that does have a needle and then use a laser temp gun to figure out the calibration. That is how I figure my stock temp gauge. There are no numbers on the gauge you just have to know where the needle is at what temp. https://www.google.com/search?q=tmep lazer gun&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

[k9hotrodder409]

Welcome to the site Jim . As you have found out a great group here and lots of info on the "W" engine.

 

[Jim Cation]

thanx the help you get on this site is awesome! jim

 

[models916]

No green cold light on the 61? Was that gauge an option on the 62?

 

[tripower]

No green cold light on the 61? Was that gauge an option on the 62?

All the 61's I had, six, all had gauges. All the 62's, five, had idiot lights.

 

[tripower]

thanx the help you get on this site is awesome! jim

PM Sent

 

[agentorange]

Has anyone tried the freeze plug with 1/2 inch NPT for a temperature sender?

http://www.lategreatchevy.com/full-...or-use-with-temperature-sender-1958-1972.html

Thanks

 

[mac1]

If you have some soldering skills you can solder a 1/2" female iron pipe (fip) x copper sweat adapter into a brass freeze plug like I did. I happen to be a plumber but it's not that hard to do. Use some map gas and a portable torch, get everything cleaned up and use 50/50 solder and some soldering flux. These are all available at Lowes hardware stores.

 

[ken smith]

If you have some soldering skills you can solder a 1/2" female iron pipe (fip) x copper sweat adapter into a brass freeze plug like I did. I happen to be a plumber but it's not that hard to do. Use some map gas and a portable torch, get everything cleaned up and use 50/50 solder and some soldering flux. These are all available at Lowes hardware stores.

 

[ken smith]

Haven't looked at the 348 in my '61 yet , but is there a block drain plug ( like a small block ) that could be used foe a temp switch?
I think it may be a 3/8" NPT.....I thought about using this for an electric fan temp sensor.

 

[mac1]

That would be a 1/4" pipe thread. I made one a few years ago and it worked well using the factory idiot light sending unit.

 

[Michael Cohen]

Idiot lights are unnecessary with good gages right?

 

[64ss409]

I like gauges, but the lights do get your attention quicker.

 

[mac1]

I like the nostalgic look of the green and red dash lights but don't rely of them for accurate water temps. I rely on my under dash Sunpro mechanical gauge for that.