Well my 239 in my 54 finally died this past monday. I put a 61 292 from a F100 into it. Didn't have too many problems getting it in. Had to switch a few things around. But its in there and starts and run. I have a issue with my water temp gauge. In the 239 I had a 3/8 npt opening for the mechanical water temp gauge. In the 292 its only a 1/4 npt opening. Is there an after market temp gauge that I can get that will fit in there or is there somewhere else on the block that I can hook the temp sending unit into? Any help will help. Thanks.

Drill and tap the intake back from the stat housing.Should give a pretty accurate reading.

  

Yea I would have done that when the block was out of the car. But its already in there. That will be my last option if I can't find anything else that will work.

Which hole was the temp probe in? Usually the first water jacket plug back of the intake on the driver's side cylinder head. You'll see a matching "blind" plug on the passenger side just ahead of the distributor.

The jacket hole typically has an insert pressed in there to provide the tapped hole - it isn't threaded into the block. There are pullers made that will pull it out - but you could just make your own version. Like stick a bolt (threads out) in a short nipple.

Once you have a clean hole - make a new insert......lots of handy work - but you'll get it pretty quick I'd say. nothing as hard as the motor swap....

the T-bird parts houses actually sell the insert - but i can't tell you which one is the right pipe thread  - they are different between the 55/56 and the 57 - but one of them is 3/8 pipe I'll bet.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Usually a Sunpro or Autometer mechanical temp gauge works just fine. I am pretty sure that they come with a variety of fittings for different npt sizes. I know this will be an aftermarket  fix for you, but the ones I have purchased in the past have been pretty accurate....

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

If I remember correctly, The 55/56 is the correct bung/insert for the head. In 57 they went to the smaller size. If you order one from any of the TBird stores, as them to measure it before buying.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Try your hardware store for an adapter. Also look around the front of the intake there is often a plugged hole there. Is the small hole you are talking about in the drivers side cylinder head at the rear? Some of them have a down adapter installed from the factory. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Why not just use a brass 3/8 to 1/4 bushing?  Some hardwre stores carry them.

I would install it in with red ("permanent") Locktite, then grind-off the outside flush with the existing head bushing.

Just a thought.

Regards,   JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top

I believe this link will take you to a page where you can see one......

Concours calls it a "TEMPERATURE SENDER ADAPTER BUSHING"- p/n 10911-AR - $15.25

Also a handy tool to look at - the Temperature Sender Remover

http://www.concoursparts.com/

There is probably one of the right size stuck in the old head......they are press-in rings with pipe threads to match the sender.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

JLB:

A bushing is backwards from what he needs.  He has the large (3/8 npt) sender and the small (1/4 npt) hole.  It is possible to drill and tap the bushing in the head while the engine is in the car, but requires some effort.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"