No-tap installation of CT gauge
 

Hey everyone.

So I'm a cheap bastard that's trying to install a cheap electric coolant temperature gauge (Equus 6262 if it matters). The sender I'm having troubles finding a place, but I want to put it where the sub zero start assist thermoswitch used to go (at the bottom of the radiator, driver's side) so I can avoid drilling and tapping anything. I test fitted it on my spare radiator with plastic end-caps, and the M16x1.5 adapter fitting works. I also found that the cavity for the thermoswitch is sealed off from the coolant in the radiator (?????).

Question: would it make sense to put the sending unit there, given its complete lack of exposure to the coolant and considering it's on the other side of the radiator from where the coolant hoses are?

Your sending unit is 16mm x 1.5?
Lucky you...there's an Allen plug near the bottom driver side of the front iron that is part of the coolant loop and it's that size.
Remove plug, install sensor, done.

no, that cavity doesn't carry coolant and is a bad place for a temperature probe being at the corner of the radiator that sees the lowest amount of coolant flow.

if it fits, put it where clokker said. i put mine on the back of the water pump next to the thermosensor.


as for cheap, it's lasted longer than my $100 C2 autometer digital gauge did already, now those are expensive garbage... every single prosport gauge in my exes car doesn't work either, there is no quality in the world anymore so why spend more than you have to?

right, that was my main concern. i'll do that when the coolant's been drained. thanks, you two are life savers.

you got bad eyes..one is a Tiger..:nod:

*growls*

lol

So that makes me the hard candy, I suppose.
Not sure I'm flattered by the analogy.

Well you would piss off a tiger if you tried to eat him but if someone wanted to make candy melt in their mouth..slowly.. I don't think you would hear the candy complaining!

Depends on the mouth.

Who is that in your avatar anyway clokker?

The mystery has been solved!

Haha!

Are you willing to use the oem ct hole on the block? I'm using one of these in mine with my aftermarket gauge that way I can. Not exact one in pic just for reference.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the driver's side of the front iron, near the bottom. Am I blind or is the allen plug not there?

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...568f085e6f.jpg

Edit: Found the block drain plug. It was in the middle iron next to the engine mount bracket bolts, and is this enormously long 14mm hex head plug with M10x1.5 threading. I don't have a picture at the moment, but I presume it's some early '87 Turbo-II weirdness. Well, the only metric adapter I have is the M16x1.5, so I guess it's back to the drawing board.

This car never ceases to confuse me.

you're blind, because it would be right above where your picture cuts off.

and the long 14mm block drain bolt is the same on all FC engines, not some random wierdness.


i found a picture by some guy named clocker...

https://smg.photobucket.com/user/clo...igger.jpg.html

Well, I guess you're right. New Year's Resolution 1: wear my glasses more often.

The picture's not loading for me, but I found it hiding behind the oil cooler line. Thought the edge of the plug was just more dirt at first inspection. Thanks for pointing it out.

Which doesn't seem to be working.
Typical.

Just FYI...
I just ran a tap into the plugged hole I was discussing and it is in fact, 16mm x 1.5 and so, should work with your sending unit.
I'm chuffed because it will accept the BMW fan trigger I want to use.