Radiator sensor thread type size needed for bn1

[55modified]

Replacing unoriginal water temperature gauge with aftermarket Stewart Warner. What type of thread and size retainer nut do I need for capillary tube?

 

[vette]

Sorry, I don't know if you found these previous post and don't know if either will apply to a BN1 but take a look.

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf/search.php?searchid=1678577

 

[55modified]

Thanks but link was dead.

 

[Michael Oritt]

55--

Though you say you are replacing the "thermostat" with an SW I wonder if you mean the WT gauge. If so it would be very simple to leave the present sensor in the radiator in place and use an electrical gauge with a sender mounted in a short section of metal tubing spliced into the long hose that goes from the lower radiator nipple to the water pump, with a wire from the metal section to ground.

 

[55modified]

55--

Though you say you are replacing the "thermostat" with an SW I wonder if you mean the WT gauge. If so it would be very simple to leave the present sensor in the radiator in place and use an electrical gauge with a sender mounted in a short section of metal tubing spliced into the long hose that goes from the lower radiator nipple to the water pump, with a wire from the metal section to ground.

I am replacing a cheap aftermarket mechanical gauge with a new Stewart Warner mechanical just need to know thread description of the male part pictured. SW ships with 1/2 male thread mounting nut. I know that won't work.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Contact Nisongers in Mamoroneck NY. They repair our fuel, temp and other gauges including temp sender tubes at: (914) 381-3600.

 

[CraigC]

John, do yourself a favor and DO NOT use the port on the radiator for your temp sender. Since you are running a small block Chevy, place it in the intake manifold's water crossover. This will give you the coolant temp BEFORE the t-stat, which is preferable to after. Think about the scenario of a stuck closed t-stat. Temp sender in block, heads or intake will show true engine temp while one in the radiator will read lower and possibly not show a problem exists until much later. Been there, done that with my 100 many years ago.

You can get a cap for the port from some of the usual sources. Just have to look it up under the six cylinder radiators. The threads are British Standard Parallel Pipe, if I remember right, but I don't recall the size off hand.

Here is a link to the cap at Ahead4Healeys--> https://www.ahead4healeys.co.uk/BLANKING-PLUG---RADIATOR-id1407.aspx

 

[55modified]

John, do yourself a favor and DO NOT use the port on the radiator for your temp sender. Since you are running a small block Chevy, place it in the intake manifold's water crossover. This will give you the coolant temp BEFORE the t-stat, which is preferable to after. Think about the scenario of a stuck closed t-stat. Temp sender in block, heads or intake will show true engine temp while one in the radiator will read lower and possibly not show a problem exists until much later. Been there, done that with my 100 many years ago.

You can get a cap for the port from some of the usual sources. Just have to look it up under the six cylinder radiators. The threads are British Standard Parallel Pipe, if I remember right, but I don't recall the size off hand.

Here is a link to the cap at Ahead4Healeys--> https://www.ahead4healeys.co.uk/BLANKING-PLUG---RADIATOR-id1407.aspx

I think that is wise you are the second person to tell me that. Mechanic said your reading at top of radiator is not going to tell you much. He suggest Corvette style input into thermostat housing on front of manifold. Not familiar with that style but was thinking about just putting sensor in side of block.

 

[CraigC]

Take a look at the intake manifold coolant crossover. There is likely a pipe plug along the front, or on top, that can be removed for installation of sender.

 

[healeyblue]

Here is the corvette sensor location (1961)

 

[55modified]

Here is the corvette sensor location (1961)

Thanks. Here is a photo of my intake. I like the idea of putting it in the block more. I will need. "blanking plug" for my radiator. I have contacted the manufacturer Wizard Cooling for this purpose.

 

[55modified]

It's either a 5/8 or 1/2" bpt I decided. Not sure which yet.

 

[CraigC]

It's either a 5/8 or 1/2" bpt I decided. Not sure which yet.

3/8" BSPP.

https://www.motalia.com/Html/Charts/bsp_chart.html

https://britishfasteners.com/threads/bsp.html