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Direct Mount Coolant Temperature Gauge


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Always wanted to install an old-school direct mount engine coolant temperature gauge to go along with the fuel rail pressure gauge I already have in the engine compartment. I was going to get a pipe adapter and splice into the upper radiator hose, but my radiator had an unused metric bung for the Renix-type coolant temperature sensor, so I decided to use that. I had all the pipe thread fittings (3/8" NPT nipple, street elbow, and coupler) to mount it, and just needed to buy the correct metric-to-NPT adapter to plumb it in. I found the M22x1.5 to 3/8 NPT adapter online for ~$5 from Amazon and the gauge itself cost around $20. The pics were taken looking down the back of the radiator drivers side. It works great. 

 


 
 

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This is where I got my stuff:

 

Parker 222P-6-M122 Adapter - Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BYLXFTG/ref=biss_dp_t_asn

0425439-23.jpg

 

Temperature Gauge - Ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Thermometer-/170452535226?hash=item27afc347ba:m:mWZPyo1Xb4KgGOCPfzQeQ8w&vxp=mtr
!BnNCevQBmk~$(KGrHqMH-DsEtsiPf)+jBLioQLZ

 

 

3/8-18 NPT Street Elbow, Coupling, and 2" or 3" Nipple at your local hardware store

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looks nice clean too,

 

also completely off topic as a canadian your rad cap looks weird, simply because it doesn't contain the french warning that things meant for sale in canada are suppose to have. 

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That's neat but how are you going to read it while you're driving down the road? LOL

 

 

Parker 222P-6-M122 Adapter - Amazon

 

0425439-23.jpg

What, you couldn't find a chrome version of this? LOL

 

If you're trying to be a comedian you better stick to your day job.   :yes:

 

I'll bet you youngsters probably don't even know why a direct mount temp gauge was used a lot back in the day................

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No why?

 

Back in the olden days before ECUs when multiple carbs with progressive linkage, solid lifters, and dual point mechanical distributors ruled, a lot of time was spent under the hood while the engine was running setting all this stuff up to play well together. These included among others setting and synchronizing the carbs, adjusting the lifters, setting the dwell, checking the timing, etc., then repeating everything again until it was right. With a direct mount temp gauge you could eyeball it while under the hood and was a convenient way to monitor the engine temps while doing these procedures so the engine didn't overheat.

 

With engine computers, hydraulic lifters, and MPFI, you don't really need an underhood temp gauge anymore, but I like retro stuff in my MJ.

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That's cool!  

 

Hmmmmm....that fitting in the thermostat housing is calling to me now.

 

Recently went open with the 4cyl overflow bottle so while I have a ton of room on the driver's side no extra spot on my radiator.  

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Interesting thread and cool mod.

 

They used to make Ford Type starter solenoids with built-in "starter" buttons to bump the motor from in the engine compartment.  Also handy when doing old school tuning.

 

If you look at the Jeep 4.0 thermostat housing, it looks like there is a round "boss" on the front of it.  I've drilled and tapped those to install a temp switch, to control an electric fan.  This would be another place to mount the gauge, although you'd see temps right as the coolant comes out of the engine, rather than halfway through the cooling process.

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No why?

 

Back in the olden days before ECUs when multiple carbs with progressive linkage, solid lifters, and dual point mechanical distributors ruled, a lot of time was spent under the hood while the engine was running setting all this stuff up to play well together. These included among others setting and synchronizing the carbs, adjusting the lifters, setting the dwell, checking the timing, etc., then repeating everything again until it was right. With a direct mount temp gauge you could eyeball it while under the hood and was a convenient way to monitor the engine temps while doing these procedures so the engine didn't overheat.

 

With engine computers, hydraulic lifters, and MPFI, you don't really need an underhood temp gauge anymore, but I like retro stuff in my MJ.

 

 

Back in the day....our old Model A had a radiator cap with a built in temp gauge that you could see as you drive, real cool....

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