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Aftermarket coolant gauge in drain plug on block

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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 08:47 AM
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Aftermarket coolant gauge in drain plug on block

ive read on this thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...+coolant+gauge

that the drain plug us another alternative place to use instead of stock location. the reason i ask is because i wanna use the stock OE location for my haltech sending unit and use the the drain plug on block for the aftermarket gauge.

btw does anyone know the threadpitch and size for it?
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 09:55 AM
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use the stock pickup on the rear iron. right near the stock oil pressure sendure location.
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 10:08 AM
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He just said he was going to use that for something else.
If you can find a sender with the right pitch, then I don't see why it wouldn't work, assuming it gets good coolant flow.

Here is how I did it: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=sender
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 10:22 AM
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The Haltech sensor should be placed in the water pump housing. Drill and tap for 3/8" NPT. Either replace the stock ECT by reaming out the hole and retapping, or tap somewhere else in the housing. You should not need to move any sensors.
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 10:51 AM
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You want a CRITICAL temperature sensor to be placed in the hottest part of the cooling system with adequate flow.

The engine block plug is NEITHER.


-Ted
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 11:38 AM
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im going to put haltech sensor in stock location behind water pump.
im trying to find another accurate place for a aftermarket coolant gauge.
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 12:38 PM
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The water drain near the engine mount is not the place to go. Been there before myself. That is a dead end passage. NO water is Flowing in that passage. It will always read cooer than the water at the water pump housing. I actually put a sensor there once. OPPPs.
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 01:09 PM
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i guess the only thing to do is just drill and tap underneath the stock sensor on water pump housing.
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by xboxthug13b
im going to put haltech sensor in stock location behind water pump.
im trying to find another accurate place for a aftermarket coolant gauge.
Put it in the water pump housing under the alternator.
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 06:42 PM
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like this one aaron cake?

https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...2&postcount=10
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 06:43 PM
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I put mine beside the Coolant Temperature Sensor (AKA Water Thermo Sensor) on the backside of the water pump housing. There was a blank spot that looked like it had been designed for such purpose.

This is the same spot Aaron Cake is talking about.

Pictures!


This pic is blurry, but you can see that the sending unit is in the flow of coolant:


Vince
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 06:47 PM
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awsome thanx i was just thinking bout using that spot. awsome pix thanx alot.
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 09:39 PM
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look. you don't need to when the one on the rear iron is fine. its there for a reason. if you don't trust the gauge in your dash, then don't use it.
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 10:20 PM
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The gauge on the dash is a 3 position gauge: cold, warm, and rebuild. No one should trust it.

The water pump housing is THE BEST place to put the sender, bar none. It's not hard to do, so why settle for something inferior that could cost you an engine. ALL of the coolant flows past that area at its hottest, so you're guaranteed flow and accurate readings (well as accurate as the gauge can read). There's a reason why the more important ECU sensor is there, that's because it's the best spot, so they put the critical sensor there, and put the meaningless gauge somewhere else.
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Old Feb 10, 2008 | 11:24 PM
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Here's my temp gauge sender install. I initially used the blank boss on the back of the water pump but I had probelms with the temp sender clashing with the thermostat, so I put it in the front instead.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...42#post5346642
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 09:44 AM
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I used this location...


Using the same gauge and same sensor, I moved the sensor from the stock water temp gauge location (near the oil pressure sender) to this new spot and got identical readings, so this location is at least as good as the stock setup.
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by xboxthug13b
No. I usually put them vertically in the casting where the coolant passages meet the engine. Sort of under the alternator.

But NZ's location is great as well.
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 03:45 PM
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another question kinda relating to this:
im getting the 5one5 idoit cluster pod, now since im removing idoit cluster is there a way that i can retaint the low coolant/oil light?

im getting aftermarket oil pressure, temp and coolant temp gauges but i dont think that will help to let me know if im low on liquids (from a leak or such)
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by clokker
I used this location...

Using the same gauge and same sensor, I moved the sensor from the stock water temp gauge location (near the oil pressure sender) to this new spot and got identical readings, so this location is at least as good as the stock setup.
Are you talking about water temp or oil temp?
I don't think any coolant flow around the area you circled in yellow...
That looks like the oil cooler line fitting.


-Ted
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by xboxthug13b
another question kinda relating to this:
im getting the 5one5 idoit cluster pod, now since im removing idoit cluster is there a way that i can retaint the low coolant/oil light?

im getting aftermarket oil pressure, temp and coolant temp gauges but i dont think that will help to let me know if im low on liquids (from a leak or such)
i do believe when the light come on is when the buzzer goes of so as long as your buzzer is working you should be fine its smart to check oil level at the gas pump anyways
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 04:58 PM
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Yea, I'm pretty sure that's a dead end oil passage.

I've seen pics of the idiot cluster moved to the stereo area. It's definetely a good idea to keep it.
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 05:00 PM
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but would the buzzer still work if the idoit cluster is removed? i dont think it does..
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by xboxthug13b
but would the buzzer still work if the idoit cluster is removed? i dont think it does..
i would think so but dont quote me on that but im pretty sure but i like that idea of putting it in the stereo location that would look pretty sweet
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 11:27 PM
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Originally Posted by clokker
I used this location...
Bad idea. That location is a dead leg that does not put the sensor in the coolant flow. You will eventually get the right reading, but it'll be delayed as the stagnant coolant slowly heats up. You have no idea if you really got the same readings, because they were taken at different times.

Originally Posted by azdk
...its smart to check oil level at the gas pump anyways
That won't help you if you loose oil or coolant in between fills due to component failure. That's what the warning system's there for.

Originally Posted by xboxthug13b
but would the buzzer still work if the idoit cluster is removed? i dont think it does..
It does.
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Old Feb 12, 2008 | 12:10 AM
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But a buzzer with no light doesn't help that much, because what is the problem? People have had oil cooler lines blow out, that'll drain the pan pretty darned fast, and if you don't catch it right away that could be the end of that engine. I've had a heater hose blow and the buzzer and light enabled me to know the problem and pull over and stop ASAP and no damage was done.
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