Aux cooling fan sensor - mine is in the radiator can I retrograde my Thermostat housing?

[Big_Mark]

Hi all,

I am in the process of installing a new radiator.

My old radiator has a bung for the auxiliary cooling fan sending unit (the radiator fan on the driver side) in the driver side of the radiator tank. The new radiator has a plug in the same position that I think I can just turn out then install the sensor there.

 

I am wondering if I can instead install a thermostat housing from a newer 4.0 that has the hole for the sending unit instead of putting it in the radiator again. This would get it out of "the hole" where the wires are hidden/got pinched/cut over the years.

 

Aside from the sending unit hole, are there any differences in the head, hose connection points, etc I need to be aware of if I choose to go with a different t-stat housing?

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

[ghetdjc320]

You can swap the housings. You can also just drill and tap for a 3/8 npt bung. Very easy in the soft aluminum tstat housing. 

[cruiser54]

What's wrong with the one in the radiator? Why change it? 

[Big_Mark]

Thanks guys,

@cruiser54 nothing is wrong with the one in the radiator other than I don't want to mess up the new radiator by removing the plug and the wires going to the sending unit/switch were pinched/cut when I pulled out the air box. As I've been watching videos to determine is my sending unit/switch location is "normal" or not it seems like the Cherocars on Youtube all have the t-stat housing with the sensor in it, not in the radiator.

I think I'll just keep it stock and will pull the plug out then put some plastic loom/wire protection on the wires to the sending unit/switch so they don't get cut again.

[rokinn]

If you want to opt for the later model thermostat housing which is what I did.  It's also a good way to bleed the air when filling. 

This is the sensor I used.  Select the 200/210 option.  Works perfectly, I never over heat anymore.

http://rodneydickman.com/product_info.php?products_id=235

 

 

[Big_Mark]

Thanks for the tip rokinn!

[rokinn]

3 hours ago, Big_Mark said:

Thanks for the tip rokinn!

Happy to do so.  Mine wasn't wired for an auxiliary fan.  Sounds like yours is but if not I can give you the wiring diagram I used to run the fan.

[Big_Mark]

Thanks again Ronkinn, fortunately I do have the wiring, and it's quite apparent how they work so no need for the diagram.

The po wired in a switch to manually turn the fan on and off. Now that I found out why (cut/broken wire) I hope the fan works as designed now. If so I'll pull out the jumper wire/switch that I use to turn that fan on and off on demand.

 

[Big_Mark]

I pulled out the plug in the new radiator and the threads were, finer (not pipe thread), I went to Napa and dug through the fittings bin to no avail, so I ended up just buying the t-stat housing with the sensor hole in it.

This is much easier to do than try to find the unicorn pipe fitting, woot!

[Big_Mark]

Here's what I ended up with

 

 

Glad to have the air box area cleared of a tiny bit more of ugly wires.