I know these cars have 2 or 3 of these things but I just recently bought the one for the Temperature Gauge. I'm not really sure where I goes. Does it goe on the driver side of the block? Right below the exhaust manifold? Or somewhere else? I know there are 2 on that side, i'm talking about the one closest to the front of the block.

 

There's only 1 hole in each head. The gauge sender is on driver side.

 

So then whats the thing i'm talking about? There is a sensor right under the exhaust manifold.

Is it in the rear of the driver side head?

 

Front of the driver side head below the manifold, between cylinders 1 and 3.

 

I don't think we're talking about the same thing here. The sensor I got has a spade connector. For the Temp Gauge on the interior instrument cluster

 

Exactly... toward the front of the driver side head below the manifold, between cylinders 1 and 3.

 

Either I got the wrong part or the wrong hole. I took the connector that was on the side of the block between 1 and 3, coolant came out, but the other part didn't fit because the threads were to big. I checked that the part works with the spade connector. I have no idea what i'm doing wrong.

The part is from Advance Auto. The part number is WT359Z

 

I got it. I don't know why it didn't fit the first 4 times. Lost a lot of coolant though. I haven't driven it yet but i let it idle in the driveway for a few minutes. It stopped at temperature 220/maybe a little higher. Is that the regular running temp? Or could this one be off like so many others i've heard about?

 

well did the temperature drop after that? You can get a thermostat so that when you engine hits a certain temperature it will drop down to about 180/190.

 

When the car is off it dropped to 180

 

What temperature does your engine hit when it is running? Mine would hit 240 when it was running so i checked the thermostat and i replaced it. It helped a lot with keeping the engine cool when it is running. Now it hits like 220 and drops right down to 180. So check your thermostat and replace it. It is like $4.50 at autozone i believe

 

I didn't test drive it but the highest it got was 220. It stayed there for 2 minutes. Then I turned it off. When I put the key to the 'on' position the gauge goes down to 160 then works its way back up to 180 in a few minutes. That just might be the gauge though. I did buy a new thermo but I had some trouble installing it. I couldn't really get to the thermostat. Whats the best way to change that thing?

And when you say it drops right down to 180 do you mean when the car is off?

 

no i mean when the car is on. Do you have a carb engine or fuel injected?

 

Fuel injected

 

alright well i have a carb so im not to sure how your engine is set up. When you replaced the thermostat did you use the gasket it came with to seal it? If so dont use that. Go to the auto store and get black gasket silicon. Im not sure if that is what it is called but i think they will know what you are talking about.

But that still wont explain why the thermostat isnt working. I am also to to sure what the running temp for your engine is. But i feel like that might still be a little high.

Again im not to sure though

 

My thermostat is working, as far as I know. I didn't replace it, I ran into a little snag and haven't had time to replace it since then. I'll take it on the road tomorrow and i'll keep a gallon of distilled water in the car just incase. I've been driving my car without a working temp gauge for about 2 months and haven't run into any overheating problems.

 

alright. That might be a fine temperature for your car. I hope i helped. If you have any more questions about this problem just hit me up and i will see if i can help you

 

Actually I have an issue with the thermostat replacement. I believe the one I bought is 180, which should be a good correct temperature.

The thing is, when I tried to replace it a few weeks ago, I could not take off the thermo housing. I couldn't even get to it. I looked at it and came to a conclusion that i'd need to take off the throttle body, which I have never done before. Is this something you'd recommend i'd do to replace the thermo? Or is there another technique I missed?

 

Well like i said i am not familiar with your engine. But what your saying sounds a little extreme to get to the thermostat housing. you might want to check out what the normal operating temperature for your engine is. You could probably google that real quick.

Also you might have to ask someone else when it comes to taking the throttle body off. I am not sure how that works. Sorry

 

I can see why you'd say that. On a carbed engine the housing is just out in the open on the front of the engine, correct?

On the TPI's the throttle body and the manifold is fairly close to the housing, creating a tight place and very little room to reach it.

 

Yes that is how it is for me. Really easy to get to haha. You might have to take off the throttle body then. It doesnt sounds like you have to much of a choice. How much room do you have to play with?

 

There is more room on the second bolt, furthest away from the front of the block. That one I can get to, the front one however is very very tight. About a few inches of room.

 

do you have any pictures?

 

Well. It's dark out where I live so I couldn't get pics right now. I don't know where I could find any either.