I have a triple gauge kit I need to install on my car. Where is the best place on the engine to hook up the temp and oil?

I have a "rebuilt" engine and trans I bought for $600. and looking at installing gauges on it so while the engine is out, I figure it is the best time to put in the sending units. Pics would be ideal too!

1957 Fairlane

The temp sender is best installed behind the stat housing just off centre.You will have to drill and tap.The intake is thin at that spot and easy to drill and tap.The oil sender can be installed in the side of the block.Just back from the existing sender on the left side are 2-3 pipe plugs parallel to the existing sender.These are also oil passages.If you can get a plug out you can use that to install the sender.I just removed the existing light sender and used that place for the aftermarket one.The pic shows where I installed my temp sender if you look close just under the aircleaner beside the heater hose fitting..

  

Thanks. I like it. How many threads are on that temp sending unit? Obviously it doesn't leak, but you say thin and that is one thread to me. Just curious.

For the oil, I will try to keep the light just in case? maybe a fail safe?

1957 Fairlane

Will the temp sender fit in the original location, rear of left head? I think it's good to keep the lights also. They will catch your eye quicker.

RB

It will allow for multiple threads.The aftermarket units come with an adapter that screws in first and than your sender screws into the adapter.I just meant its thin enough to drill easily with a good quality steel bit.I actually had mine done by a machine shop for $20.00 before I installed it as I purchased a "B" manifold.If you unscrew the heater hose adapter you can see the thickness. If you look at the right side head you can see where the temp sender would go if the head was used on the left side(heads are identical).That plug can be removed and an adapter installed.The Ford original adapter is a press fit.The consensus from several members is the area behind the stat housing gives a very accurate temp reading.

  

As far as the oil sender is concerned, if you cannot get one of the plugs mentioned out, get a short nipple the same size as the hole for the stock sender, a "T" fitting to fit the nipple and you can screw the old sender into one hole, the new sender into the other hole. You may need a reducer for the new sender.

If you want to keep the "T" closer to the block, get a right angle fitting to put on the nipple.

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

Paul, Are you talking a street ell?

Mark, I do know a machinist! I have to order some gaskets anyway. Might as well be a manifold one too

1957 Fairlane

+1 on "behind the thermostat" location, which is highest coolant temp. Stock sender location at back of the head measures temp of coolant just entering the head from the block, so it's actually lower than the temp of water at the thermostat. Before I had a heater, I used the upper heater hose hole for the temp sender, and it worked well.

Once I had the heater hooked up, I was cheap and installed the sensor in a tee fitting inserted into the coolant recirc hose, thinking that it draws from the same place and would be the same temp. Not so... it seems to run 10-20 degrees cooler than behind the thermostat/heater upper hose location. I measured/confirmed with IR thermometer. I'm not sure why, but it's consistent... maybe getting back-flow from the water pump? Another indicator of poor water pump design?

Here's a pic of my recirc line setup, which I can't really recommend.

Thanks! Good to know. I will order a new manifold gasket along with my valve cover gaskets, and get that drilled and tapped!

1957 Fairlane