Ok so i bought a water temp gauge and the fitting on it is like 1/2-3/4" and doesnt come off the line. So im stuck drilling a hole in my firewall somewhere. As you know our firewalls are crowded with all kinda plastic crap.

Where is the best location to drill for this big ole fitting/line? It has to be able to reach too as the line isnt very long.

 

if you get under the dash and look again, you'll notice a big hole with a rubber grommet. that grommet pushes right out of the way and the hole is like 1 1/4" in diameter. no need to drill larger holes.

 

where exactly under the dash? driverside? behind radio? where at in the engine bay is the hole located?

 

I made a hole in the fire wall just to the left of the distributor. ( driver's side)
Actually on my car there was a hole there already, just had to make it larger. push a coat hanger wire or what ever in there to use as a "fish". It came out near the top of the gas petal. Then run a "fish up to the dash hole like in the pic.
The air conditioner/vent duct is sealed off so I just cut a slot in the end of the duct to feed the wires and lines thru.
See in the pics. Hope this helps ya . I hate working under the dash!!!!

 

Here's some pics

 

... Started raining out so there she sits. half done.

 

Ok i peeked around a bit while i was cleaning out the car, didnt have times to mess with the gauge. I notice a large rubber gromet over near the brake booster, and then possibly another one slightly to the passenger side of the engine, below the heater hoses.

Are either of these the ones you were talking about? If you can get a picture of the firewall and circle the area to which youre referring that'll help me greatly.


-ps thanks 88 for the pics but if i can avoid drilling i would like to. Nice setup.

 

heres a pic i found(thanks whoevers car this is). if someone can circle the area mw66nova is talking about i'll be on my way to finishing this up.

Is it the hole in the photo with the wiring still coming through?

 

No need to drill. Get a long pry bar with a point on it.

Find a nice spot on the fire wall, just to the driver's side of the distributor and hammer a hole thru. Wiggle the pry bar around and hammer till the hole is "just right" It's only sheet metal. Won't take much to punch a hole thru.
Seal the hole up with RTV after you've installed all the lines thru it.

 

LOL though sometimes I feel solutions like that may be fun and really show the car how she makes me feel at times, id rather not.

I mean if the gromet already exists which i can use(pop out slice and reuse, i see no reason not to. Its just id like to know exactly where the location is so i dont have to spend more time under the dash, fighting around the a/c-heater box-dash wiring and such.

 

 

this is where i'm talking about:

 

thanks got it in. 180 at idle (warmed up)

 

Finally got mine finished too 160/170 F at idle
55psi oil pressure 20psi@idle hot.

I just hate working under the dash.

Pluged the light for the guages into the fuse panel on the
insturment terminal so that the guage lights come on when the dash lights do.