Hi all,

I’ve exhausted all my searching capability. I have an 82 Firebird that I recently completed a v8 swap on. The gauge works, sort of. When the car warms up, the gauge reads ~240

, but when I use a mechanical gauge, the temp is ~180. I can’t seem to find the correct sensor/sender. The sensor is in the intake manifold by the thermostat housing. Can anyone give me some insight as to what could help?

what I’ve done:

• changed thermostat - new 180 degree thermostat installed
• bled system definitely no air in the system
• checked temp with mechanical gauge and laser thermometer. ~180 at operating temperature while idling

i welcome any and all suggestions. I’m to the point where I am stumped. I’d like the gauge to work accurately.

thanks in advance!!

 

It's not a "sen-sore". It's a sending unit, and should be available from your local auto parts store, or maybe Rock Auto. It is located in the driver side cylinder head between cylinders 1 and 3 (that thing next to the thermostat housing is for the ECM and not connected to your Temp gauge). Search for one for a '82-'84 with V-8. The connector will look different as that was changed, and the old style is not available new. If the gauge still reads hot after replacing the sending unit, the gauge is inaccurate.
They were never completely accurate when new...

 

I have looked at rock auto a bunch and there are many options. Is there one you suggest? I don’t want to buy one after another if I can avoid it.

thanks.

 

I don't know how there could be many optiions. It was the same for '82-'84 thirdgens (probably '85 & '86 as well)...

 

Yep they list 6. You want a single wire one.

 

You'll probably need to extend that wire down to the cylinder head... or if you use that location you'll need to make sure you have the correct sensor at least....

I checked on RA.... both the V6 and the V8 use the same part numbers....so you should be able to reuse the one from your V6 which I think was on the driver side head behind the ac compressor....

Be sure you get one for the gauge and not the idiot light if you get a new one...


ACDELCO2134585 - light
ACDELCO2134793 - gauge


Worst comes to worst, Pop the bezel, then the clear plastic and pull the needle and re-center it to where it should be when the car is runninig and at operating temp.

 

Thank you all. I bought one, just need to find a 1/2 to 3/8 not reducer fitting. Amazon should deliver them tomorrow. Fingers Crossed this does the trick. I'll update with what happens.

 

if you bought a stock one, it should just bolt in?

 

Had to get a 1/2 NPT to 3/8 NPT reducer, but i’m in business.



according to my mechanical gauge as well as a laser thermometer, it’s accurate.

this is an 82 V6 cluster / car with a 400 SBC and edelbrock air gap intake with the sender installed at the port near the thermostat housing.

thanks to those who helped. Much appreciated. Hopefully the info in this helps with future searches.

-Rich