How to install an electric water temp gauge with pics

[Frank Rizzo]

Starting from top left and moving clockwise, 3/8" NPT male to 1/8" NPT female adapter, 1/8" NPT male to 1/8" NPT female adapter (just for reference), M10 X 1.0 male to 1/8" NPT female (can be used to thread into the stock oil pressure sending unit boss), M16 X 1.5 male to 1/8" NPT female adapter. And if you are still with me here, most aftermarket electric temp senders are 1/8" NPT male.

I am only using the M16 X 1.5 male to 1/8" NPT female adaptor. This is the one pictured in the bottom left.

This pic is with a junkyard 7M-GE thermostat housing. This pic is just to show you that all sensors on the thermostat housing are interchangable. You can move the BVSV anywhere you want and swap out any sensor you feel you don't need in order to install some peace of mind. Same applies to the GTE thermostat housing. All holes are M16 X 1.5 in the thermostat housing. There is no teflon tape on these fittings as pictured. I always use teflon tape when I install for real, but you already knew that!!

And this is a pic of what NOT to do. It is a 3/8" NPT male to 1/8" NPT female adapter. It is only threaded in hand tight, only 1 complete revolution. It then abruptly stops. It will start to cross-thread with any more force.

 

[Mk3runner]

is that it? no how to wire through the firewall and possible gauge location?

 

[Frank Rizzo]

I deleted my radio and made a custom gauge pod. Not for the masses.

My car already had a hole punched (yes punched, not drilled) right near the clutch master cylinder.

 

[Mk3runner]

punched huh... no story behind that?

 

[MDCmotorsports]

Great write up Frank! Think maybe you could expand on it a little bit with some under the hood shots and how to wire up the gauge(s)?

 

[Mk3runner]

yeah thats kinda what I was figuring for I mean you started off great. maybe a little more would be cool.

 

[Justin]

How 'bout a link to where you got those parts??? I couldn't find the correct adapter so I cross threaded the shit out of what I had, used a load of 'The Right Stuff' and its worked beautifully so far.

I have a new ceramic coated piece i want to put on however I want to do it correctly this time

Starting from top left and moving clockwise, 3/8" NPT male to 1/8" NPT female adapter, 1/8" NPT male to 1/8" NPT female adapter (just for reference), M10 X 1.0 male to 1/8" NPT female (can be used to thread into the stock oil pressure sending unit boss), M16 X 1.5 male to 1/8" NPT female adapter. And if you are still with me here, most aftermarket electric temp senders are 1/8" NPT male.

I am only using the M16 X 1.5 male to 1/8" NPT female adaptor. This is the one pictured in the bottom left.

This pic is with a junkyard 7M-GE thermostat housing. This pic is just to show you that all sensors on the thermostat housing are interchangable. You can move the BVSV anywhere you want and swap out any sensor you feel you don't need in order to install some peace of mind. Same applies to the GTE thermostat housing. All holes are M16 X 1.5 in the thermostat housing. There is no teflon tape on these fittings as pictured. I always use teflon tape when I install for real, but you already knew that!!

And this is a pic of what NOT to do. It is a 3/8" NPT male to 1/8" NPT female adapter. It is only threaded in hand tight, only 1 complete revolution. It then abruptly stops. It will start to cross-thread with any more force.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

Ok here is a shot of it installed. Notice: I had to use a copper sealing washer to seal the M16 X 1.5 adapter, because it is not tapered like the factory sending units and BVSV are. That copper sealing washer is the same one used for the turbo coolant feed line banjo bolt BUT I had to drill it out to fit over the M16 X 1.5 adapter's threads. Teflon tape will not cut it, no matter how much you put on, the adaptor bottoms out. Just trying to cover all the bases here.

As far as wiring, that part of it is not brain surgery. Crimp quick disconnects, an inline fuse, and shrinkwrap are items that come to mind. I used 16gauge wire for all wiring. You can see a pic of my gauges installed where the radio was in my vbpicgallery.

Thanks for caring guys!! I do this stuff for you guys!!!