Hey everyone. I've seen other posts that provide some info for me but I have some more questions. I have an 84 Z with a rebuilt L05 350 and I've ditched the ECM to go more old school. This project has slowly been stretched out over years and I don't have the car in front of me currently. The temp gauge is not operational. The temp sender should be on the drivers side from what I gather, but is it in the block or the head? I have aftermarket aluminum heads in case that changes things. What does the stock connector for that look like? I think I read its a single green wire? Also does that require the ECM, or does it run straight to the gauge? Trying to get the in-dash gauge to be operational if at all possible.

 

Temp gauge sending unit in the SBC from 1955 until at least 1996, was in the driver's side head, between #1 & #3 spark plugs.

"Aftermarket", "aluminum", makes no difference. Only difference might be, if the hole in your heads is ½" pipe, in which case you need a sending unit from let's say 70 or earlier, or if your heads have a 3/8" pipe hole, you need the one for 84. Kinda a no-brainer. (which I admit, UNIQUELY qualifies me, since I have no brain)

The stock connector was a sort of "mushroom" looking terminal, that the connector slid onto from the side. AFAIK that style is not available in the aftermarket. Doesn't matter; the stock connector goes right onto the currently available replacement ones, which are yerbasic ¼" slide-on terminal.

They didn't have ECMs in 1955. The temp gauge didn't need that then and doesn't in 84. Dk grn wire, runs from the sending unit to the gauge; has another wire that runs to the ignition switch, such that the gauge will peg when you turn the key to start. Been that way since 1955.

Probably no reason you can't get your gauge to work, if you track it all down. It's BEYOND simple. It's just a car electrical system. About as dumbed down as electricity can possibly be. Look: I can handle it; you're MUCH smarter than I'LL ever be; if I can manage it, so can you. It's just not that hard.

 

Thank you for all the info. Unfortunately it looks like that connector was cut off at some point, so I'll have to look for a replacement. The sender looks like the attached photo. I made sure the connector that was there was fully attached, but it's a no go. I'll try to get the factory parts and see how it goes. I'm assuming the next step would be to find and follow the wire that goes to the ignition.