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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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I installed an aftermarket SunPro mechanical water temp gauge.I have it tapped into the intake manifold at front opposite the heater hose fitting.I have one of those Mr.Gasket hiflo stats 180 degree.The gauge is only showing about 155 fully warmed up.If I take a heat gun and warm the sender the gauge moves right up as long as heat is applied.The factory dash gauge which has the sender screwed into head is showing about halfway between "öff" and midpoint of gauge which I think is pretty accurate.Is the water temp 25 degrees cooler at the point I have the sender screwed in or is it more likely the gauge is not correct?Should the water temp not match the opening temp of the stat which is 180?
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By charliemccraney - 16 Years Ago
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The coolant should be hottest at that point on the engine. Sunpro, if I'm not mistaken, is the cheaper brand that the local auto parts store carries - made in China - so I would not be surprised if it's not accurate. I have one and it's not accurate. It's good enough to tell if you're getting into trouble, though. They do seem to be consistent in their quality. It's the second I have had and the read the same.
Get a hold of an infrared thermometer and see what that says. If the stat really is opening at 180, then the coolant must be 180 or higher.
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By simplyconnected - 16 Years Ago
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oldcarmark (4/11/2009)
I installed an aftermarket SunPro mechanical water temp gauge... The gauge is only showing about 155 fully warmed up... The factory dash gauge which has the sender screwed into head is showing about halfway between "öff" and midpoint of gauge... Should the water temp not match the opening temp of the stat which is 180?I think you are saying, a capillary bulb-type mechanical temp gauge is not consistant with an electric sending unit/dash gauge, right? I also read, the capillary-type has real numbers, wheereas the OEM has hash marks. The capillary bulb has alcohol in it, which deflects a gauge movement. I have replaced broken tubes on OLD vintage gauges by buying a new (cheap oriental gauge), and soldering the bulb and tube onto a vintage gauge head. (There's more to it than just this.) When done, the needle needs to be adjusted for accuracy. After that, you can't beat a capillary gauge. It is right on the money as long as alcohol is contained. That's why it usually has real numbers on the gauge that can be checked against another thermometer (like a cookie thermometer which displays real numbers, too). Electric gauges are good for ballpark readings (that's why OEM gauges don't show numbers). Connectors can corrode or come loose, showing false readings.
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By paul2748 - 16 Years Ago
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paul2748 (4/11/2009)
[quote][b]Should the water temp not match the opening temp of the stat which is 180?
No - the thermostat will not hold water at a certain temperature. It only opens at the stated temperature. The actual engine temperature can go up much further than the the stated thermostat temp.
The only true way to see which one is more accurate is to get one of these infra red temperature things and check the temp at both spots where the senders are - the back of the head and where you have the other sender. Ford gauges are known for their inaccuracy.
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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Thanks Paul.
What I meant to say is that the temperature should be at least 180 with the stat being used.Thanks for clarifying that.I think the mechanical gauge is innaccurate.Once again I get the quality that I paid for.Anyone have any good suggestions for a brand of reasonably priced gauges that work?Thanks
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By simplyconnected - 16 Years Ago
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oldcarmark (4/11/2009)
...Should the water temp not match the opening temp of the stat which is 180? Water temp at the stat CAUSES your thermostat to react.Cars in the midwest winter, depend on thermostats to keep the engine warm. They close under the predetermined temp, and open at or above same. Yes, they DO REGULATE your engine's temperature up to the point when your radiator can't deliver enough cool liquid. The balance is between the heat producer (your engine), your heat exchanger (radiator), and the coolant between them. If you choke off the radiator's air or coolant, your engine will overheat. Look, standard thermostats (not yours) have an opening of about 1". That's fine for most family cars in the midwest and Canada. Hi volume stats (yours) can flow much more water when temperatures call for it (driving in the hot dessert, climbing the Rocky Mts., etc.). If it happens your cooling system doesn't work efficiently (clogged cores, low water, no airflow thru the radiator, heat riser is stuck shut, radiator cap doesn't hold pressure.) the very first place to check is coolant flow. A large-opening stat will allow more coolant to flow when the engine temp exceeds stat opening temp. Hoses are 1-1/2" dia. Does it make sense to run with a 1" thermostat?
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By popbreed - 16 Years Ago
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Maybe the Chinese forgot to add the 32 degrees when converting from C to F !! !POP
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By 56fairlanepost - 16 Years Ago
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I have a manual stewert warner gauge mounted in the intake manifold and an electric gauge mounted in the rear of the head and have noted that the manual gauge gives instant info while the electric gauge gives a delayed response.I have also noted that the front of the engine seems to be cooler than the rear of the engine at times,in other words the rear heats up more that the front,but while running for extended periods of time they seem to equal out.The electric gauges are classic industry with a haywire harness so it is quality stuff and i beleive to be pretty accurate.Also if you get a chance june issue of street rodder mag has indepth articles dealing with overheating problem that is very well written and deals with almost every problem you may encounter
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By 46yblock - 16 Years Ago
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I have personal experience with a Sunpro elect. water temp gauge. Wasnt good. It showed 15-20 degrees hotter than actual, with infra-red thermo. shot right at sender. New sender and guage. Junk.
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By oldcarmark - 16 Years Ago
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I had a chat with the parts guy at my local supplier."Sunpro isn't what they used to be".I have ordered a different brand gauge which they have sold many with no compaints so we will see how that works.I have all three Sunpro gauges-temp,oil pressure, and ammeter.Going to replace all one at a time as I find better at an affordable price.very true-price is an indication of quality!
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By Doug T - 16 Years Ago
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You can easily set up a water bath to test the Temp gauges and thermostat. This is basically a pot on the stove or electric frying pan with a meat or candy thermometer. Drop the thermostat and sender or bulb in cold water and turn on the heat. Watch the thermometer and gauge and see how they track. The thermostat should be fully open within 5 deg of its rating. I have done this with the stock temp gauges a couple times and found that they are amazing precise for what they are but not too accurate. So if you note where say 180 Deg is on the gauge you will notice that guage will run there with a 180 deg thermostat most of the time when the car is warmed up.
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By simplyconnected - 16 Years Ago
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simplyconnected (4/11/2009)
...real numbers on the gauge that can be checked against another thermometer (like a cookie thermometer which displays real numbers, too)...Candy and cookie thermometers are real accurate because they have to be. They're also in-expensive and available everywhere. No mystery here; t'stats can be easilly verified.
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By ejstith - 16 Years Ago
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I don't really know what mine is .. but it's nearly 80 degrees here in FL and it runs consistent at 160 degrees. 190 when I shut it off ..
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By Park Olson - 16 Years Ago
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56, the front /rear temp difference is probably due to the by-pass hose at the thermo' housing. My F600 ran very cool, 160, because of an extra row of tubes in the rad. I put a pill in the by-pass hose, 5/16 from 5/8 and it now runs a pretty consistant 190 from the back of the head. It has a 180 thermostat.
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