MTFCA Forum

Does anyone run a aftermarket temp gauge, and if so where do you put the sender? I see Mac's sells a water inlet with a threaded boss on it.

I drilled out & tapped the block's rear core plug to 1/2" p to accept the sender.

My 26 came with one. The sensor is drilled into the side of the head.. I wish they didn't do that, but that's the way it came. With a decent working radiator, there is no need to monitor the temperature that closely.

The best spot is here Danny!

Hank

I like the cutaway head! That’s awesome

The water inlet is on the left side of the block where the cooled water is coming in. You would want it at least in the water outlet on the head to see how hot it getting.

There have been several discussions on where best to measure water temperature. Water inlet temp is the water cooled by the radiator. Measuring te output temperature with an adapted outlet water neck or "MotoMeter" is also an option. Some have suggested that the true temperature is towards the rear of the head because of poor circulation. The reality is that all three are somewhat related so if one is higher than it should be it would follow that the others would be excessive as well. The accepted value for output water temperature is around 180 dF.
Not sure of your objective in wanting to add one is, but your choices are either mechanical or electrical sensor (6volt?). Reviews seem to favor mechanical for accuracy but routing isn't as convenient as one with an electrical sensor. Careful on looking at "electrical" as often they are mechanical and are referencing the bulb to illuminate it.
I would take the simplest & least expensive route: water inlet and purchase an automotive temperature scanner. After measuring an acceptable operating temperature you can then relate to the water inlet temperature. All depends on why you need to be so accurate.
Some references
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1378918240
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1492708160
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/82 ... 1546202237

I wonder what one would do with the intelligence obtained with a gauge. My T's tell me when they get too hot, usually only when they are low on water for some reason or other. The indication usually shows up on the windscreen!

Allan from down under.

I have a Motometer and a sensor in the water inlet to the block. That tells me if the radiator is doing what it is supposed to do.

Where you aware the MOUSE plug was in the head when you cut it?
Never would have occured to me a plug like that.
I guess you could flush forever and not get that out.

The engineer gave his life! LOL

I did multiple temperature checks over the years and found there is a heat eddy right where I marked it. You really want "True" head temperature when it comes to engine performance. As another find, MotoMeters are off by up to 10-15 degrees. Just in my observations.

All the Best,

Hank

The wall thickness on the head is a lot less than what I would picture in my head. But I have a lot going through my head

Hank, I should have thought about this before we bolted the head down

To easy to do it even with the head on. Vacuum cleaner and pilot drills working your way up.

Hank

Danny, mid 1920s motometer came out with steering column mounted water gauges and also dash gauges. This may be an idea for a period item. This dash type is on eBay right , looks complete. It’s nice if the seller will drop the bulb in a cup of hot water to see if it works. Otherwise a crapshoot.

Here's the original Boyce Motometer water temperature gauge on my Racer - it was marketed for the Model A Ford with a round steering column mount & 2 ways to attach the sending unit - one was in a special head bolt and the other was a contraption for the upper radiator hose -I chose to mount the sender in the block. This unit has a small arm that will lean on the needle when things begin to get too hot and a "Red Ball" shows up - totally cool !

Here is what I did on my speedster.

I had an old Nims style ‘26-‘27 water pump that was missing the impeller and shaft. I tapped the impeller hole in the housing for pipe thread to accept the fitting of the temperature bulb. Seems to work well. It uses a modern dash mounted temp gauge.

As to the OP - the water inlet would be just about the worst location possible for a temperature sender. The water inlet will have the coolest water in the system. The sender ideally should be in the water outlet in the head.

I drill and tap the outlets. I have both mechanical and electrical units on mine. Don