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I have a mechanical oil temp gauge I want to run with my automatic transmission. Will I get an accurate temperature reading if I weld a bung into the transmission oil pan and located the sensor there? Is this how a transmission temp. gauge sensor is normally mounted? This is for an older 727 Torqueflight.
Dave
Temp is temp, as long as the degree range on your gauge covers the range you expect to see in the trans is should work fine. I usually try to select a range that places operating temp (or pressure) between middle and extreme limit of the gauge.
IE: if you expect to run between 175-200 on the trans, have a gauge that can read up to 240. Also note that running over 200 dramatically shortens fluid life.
Cool little chart I just found:http://www.piersdiesel.com/TempChart.htm
Thanks, Doug.
It might be easier to mount the sender in the line to the cooler. I know Jon did this on his van.
Putting it in the line will also give you the easy and fast option of removing it if it leaks or you sell the truck.
So, to mount the sender in the line, do I just use a T fitting ?
Dave
yeah that would work.
Not to be a stickler, but that "chart" is almost completely devoid of meaningful data. Best looked as a relative guide, I guess. ;)
I cut the metal line going to the cooler....added in some hose to the 2 straight sides of a tee fitting with hose barbs in them. Screwed the sender in the other hole....had to run a gound wire from the metal tee to a good ground because there hose between the tee and the metal line...no signal can make it to the gauge otherwise.
This will tell you the temp of the hottest fluid in the trans as it heads to the cooler...thats what I want to know.
You could get fancy and have another gauge in the return line and see how much of a drop you are getting in the cooler.
Mine rarely exceeds 140 driving at speeds over 50. Less that that and it occasionally will hit 190 in traffic at low speed.
I do have a thermal switch in the line to the cooler....until the fluid gets hot enough to open that switch, it is returned without going to the cooler. Once it gets up to temp, then it goes through. This keeps it from super cold winter air...if there is any water...humidity or condensation...in the trans fluid, one runs the risk of that freezing in the cooler and bursting the thing...I have seen it happen.
if temp sending unit isnt in trans temp of trans wont be accurite. just screw it in the drain plug hole and your done.
also put ne in t-case and you,ll be amazed how hot it gets......
He is talking about an auto trans Bob....
still needs to be in the pan. cut a pipe coupling in half , drill a hole in side of pan, tig weld coupling to pan where hole is, screw in sending unit. is how i,d do it. thanks jon for the update.
bob