TR4/4A Smiths Oil Temp Gauge

[RJS]

Hi

Has anyone ever mounted an oil temp gauge? I am looking at the Smiths BT2240-01C which is 52mm and if I can swap the chrome bezel it will match existing gauges.

The compatible temp sender is Smiths TT6811-01. It is 1/8" x NPT thread. Any ideas where it can be mounted?

Thanks

Bob

 

[mctriumph]

I have seen things like this mounted in the radio delete plate(it you have no radio)......
Mad dog

 

[RJS]

Thanks Mad Dog

Great idea. I have a modern radio in the glove box - which I NEVER use btw.

Any thoughts were to mount the sender? Could it be as easy as screwing into a port in the engine block? Or, would I need to weld a bung into the oil pan?

Bob

 

[mctriumph]

There is a gallery plug in the back of the head . Not sure why you want this critter, If you
have all 7.5 Qts in the pan , it is hard to get them all hot at once......
Mad dog

 

[TR-3rg]

Hi,

I mounted a mechanical oil temp gauge under the bottom of the dash. The sending unit is about an inch from the drain plug. I dropped the pan and welded in a bung. In the summer-time around Baltimore MD, I would see 230-240F. When I installed a Supra 5 speed conversion, the oil temp dropped by 20-30F.

Good luck, Roy

 

[mctriumph]

If you were the type to go crazy here , why not get an alloy pan with finning to dissipate
excess heat? Doesn't help to just monitor the heat if your not able to correct it.
Mad dog

 

[Bristol401]

If you were the type to go crazy here , why not get an alloy pan with finning to dissipate
excess heat? Doesn't help to just monitor the heat if your not able to correct it.
Mad dog

Oil Temp Gauge is just an indicator that your engine bearings are dying.

 

[RJS]

Thanks all for comments. No concerns here of running hot or any issues. Just simple curiosity on what normal oil temp would be. Roy, thanks for sharing observations on your oil temps.

Bob

 

[Hamish Racing]

Don’t do it. It will only cause worry.
too hot, too cold.

i fitted an ali sump with the boss for a temp gauge on my 3a. I should have just blanked it.
I fitted an oil temp gauge and it never gets very hot. I then started to worry about oil performance as everything you read says oil needs to be 80 to 120c
Mine happily sits at 60-70c
Just concentrate onthe pressure. That’s the important bit.

 

[RJS]

Thanks Hamish,

You may very well be right, best well enough left alone. I've had the car for 23 years with no oil issues. Was interested in "normal" oil operating temp to do exactly as you say - judge oil performance. Having said that, I've used the same oil and weight for years and get a consistent 65psi cruising at 2000RPM. So, better to not try and fix what's not broken.

Bob

 

[mctriumph]

The race car had oil issues due to the 3.5qt that the Mazda Mx5 held. The cooler is behind the
passenger side scoop with the remote filter. The other scoop is a cold airbox.
Mad dog

 

[TR-3rg]

I agree with the above, an oil temp gauge is boring on a stock, street driven engine. The only time I really look at mine is when I adjust the carbs. They seem to be a lot more repeatable / better running if set when the oil is hot. Another check is when the oil pressure drops at idle or about 20 minutes after the water temp is hot. Thats when the oil is hot.
Roy