So I'm trying to figure out what the previous owner(s) have done to this poor car and realized they took the temperature sending unit out of the head on the driver's side between 1&3 and put a plug in it. The plug has a recessed square opening to insert a tool to remove it. Well that square is stripping out and I can't get that plug out. No room to get vise grips on the outside of it. I'm toast here!


Any other ways to install a sending unit somewhere else? I gotta have a temp gauge...


Thanks!

 

On my 80 Camaro's 350 I had to put it on the right side towards the rear, becuase I didn't have header clearance on the drive side. Should be a spot there I would think in the head.

 

You're not screwed.
Relax.
Deep breaths

A 1/4" or 3/8th ratchet should fit in that plug. Put some PB Blaster on it and let it sit a few, then try again

 

1/4 too small and 3/8 too big. I found an old 3/8 extension in a pile of old tool and ground it down until it fit. I even was able to slightly tap it in with a hammer. It was a good solid fit and when I cranked down on it, it just stripped out the inside of that square..

 

Can you use the same screw extractor set that I recommended to remove that oil pressure nipple? You would have to drill a hole through it and use a rather large size to ensure it dont break... but if you stripped the square out, tells me it's in there pretty tight.

 

You might have me confused with another poor soul you are helping. I haven't yet had problems with my oil pressure nipple.


I'm thinking I may have to pull the exhaust manifold off so I can get in there with a pair of vise grips on the side of the plug...??? What a pain to get one dumb plug out..

 

"You might have me confused with another poor soul you are helping. I haven't yet had problems with my oil pressure nipple."

ooops, sorry. Your nipple is good. Somebody's nipple was messed up!

Found it. It was RedIrocZZ nipple!

 

Thats what she said!!!!

 

There is a special tool for it. I'm trying to find it in Snap Ons book but haven't found it yet. Otherwise I had the same problem on a van years ago, I tee'd them both on the other head.

 

Snap On has them listed as pipe plug sockets. There is a set though I don't know which one you need. 211PPPMY is the set number listed in my book.

 

I stuck a mirror down there and the square is tattered bad. Even the correct tool won't get it now.


Bob, I have been reading that maybe my '86 doesn't use a fan switch, which is located on the passenger head between 6&8. The fan is controlled by the ECM. My wiring diagram in the shop manual seems to reflect that too. There is a switch in there but no wire for it anywhere. If that's true I should be able to mount my sender in that hole, right?


Or try pulling the exhaust manifold and getting a vise grip on it?

 

True.

"Or try pulling the exhaust manifold and getting a vise grip on it?"

but that would be your call. Has the manifold be off recently? I mean, next thing could be broken off manifold studs and bolts. Soooo, its your call.

 

You can just put your temp sender in the intake. I have ALWAYS ran mine in the intake.

Every intake will have atleast 1 coolant port. Most has 2, and some has 3 or 4.

You can also get water necks with the ports on them.

 

It's a TPI manifold, he's already using the two ports in the front.

 

You are going to have to file fit another square. Needs to be tight. You will have to pound it in. If you can put heat around the plug, not on the plug, that will help a lot. The trick is is to expand the material around the plug. OR, as mentioned above, pull ex manifold, and risk breaking/twisting off those bolts. Or find somewhere else to put the sensor.

 

Ok, I admit it—that cracked me up!

 

Since I don't need the fan switch since it's an '86 I just put it in that hole between 6&8. Seems to be working fine except when I turn the car off the gauge stays at whatever reading it was at?? When I turn the back on it goes to the current temp.

 

You're good.

Beats fighting a drill, easy out, head removal, exhaust manifold removal skinned knuckles, frustration, beat'n up the wife, kicking the dog, and throwing wrenches.....

moving along