[TSMartin]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this but I'll try anyway. I'm contemplating adding EFI and a dual electric fan with a dual stage starting system to my 461. These all require temp sensors and with the temp gauge I'm out of room on the manifold. I saw a water bypass plate on Jegs and I'm wondering if placing the sensors in that ... or making something like that ... would work.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...oductId=750809

TS

[rexs73gto]

What heads are you running on your car?? The reason I ask is if you have a newer style head such as 4X or 6 X or newer you will have ports on the side of your heads where sensors where or could be at one time. That way you could use them for you sensor ports for your EFI. All the 4X & 6X heads have at least 1 port for them between 1& 3 on the left head & 6&8 on the right head.

[TSMartin]

They are "E" heads so there's no holes. I've pretty much decided that I'm going to do it. I can't see any reason it shouldn't work. I just need to modify the alternator bracket ... which doesn't really fit properly anyway ... and do some hose gymnastics but that shouldn't be a big deal. I was curious if anybody else had used one.
Thanks for the reply.
TS

[Curly Joe]

Looks like that is installed on top of the Thermostat.

[TSMartin]

It could or it could be either. It should still work for controlling the fans. If the thermostat was on the manifold as the engine warmed up and the thermostat starts to open the fan temp sensors will see the temp rise and depending what the fan on temp is the fans should come on. I'll be using an adjustable controller.

I'll have to wait and see when it gets here. If it needs some modifications I have a machine shop I can do it with. I could have whittled one out of billet but I couldn't justify the time spent when they are so cheap.

Thanks for your reply.

TS

[HWYSTR455]

You can use a push in probe in the radiator, or check your radiator, some have screw in ports. You could always have a bung tig'd into your radiator too.

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[TSMartin]

Thanks for the suggestion. I would rather read engine temp directly however. As it turns out the spacer plate I got won't fit a Pontiac. Guess all GM thermostat housings are not created equally as far as bolt spacing goes. I have ordered the material to fabricate one and might post some pics when I have it made.
Thanks again.
TS

[HWYSTR455]

Drill and tap the top of the thermostat housing then. Or take the probe and jam it in the upper radiator hose. Or share a sensor in the intake. You can T off the wire if it's electric, run a gauge and a fan controller. E-head? Use the back of the driver's side head, pull the pipe plug and put a sensor in there.

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[TSMartin]

I've ran all those scenarios in my head as well. Stock cast t-housing is too thin IMO to drill and tap and not break it or have it leak. Especially for 2 sensors. I'm using two separate fan controllers because a single unit with two temp set points was $50 more than the cost of two single units. Back of heads is too far away from where I'm going to mount the controllers/relays so I'd have to splice wires. The other options would just look "back yard mechanic" and while this isn't a show car I want to have a "clean" looking installation. Like I put some thought into it rather just throw something together to get by.

Plus ... I need to get some run time on my mill and lathe.

TS

[HWYSTR455]

You don't think having 4 sensors and a spacer plate on the t-stat housing won't look a little backyard? I think you are making this more difficult than it is, you only need one sensor. For EFI, your ECU could probably serve as a junction for the gauge, only need one wire, the other will be under the dash. Some ECUs even have taps for gauges. A probe in the upper radiator hose or in the radiator fins would suffice for the fan controller(s). If there's a descrepency in the readings you can adjust on the controller. When the t-stat opens, the difference in temp from the upper hose to the t-stat housing will be un-readable, if not the same. Lot's of OE installs have a bung in the side tank right below the upper radiator hose, same thing. If the t-stat hangs closed the one in the intake will provide the reading you need, and it won't matter if the fans go on or not, radiator won't have anything to cool anyway.

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[TSMartin]

We obviously have a difference of opinion on what constitutes "back yard". I have already decided on the direction I will go with this so rather than get into any further discussion with you on what "you" think I should do I would kindly request that you not post any more comments. It has gone off in a direction from what I originally asked which was has anybody used these spacer plates.
TS

[HWYSTR455]

I apologize if I offended you, wasn't my intention, and will follow your request.

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