water temp sensor

[flathead4dr]

I just bought a 55 Ford pickup that has a 400 Chrysler V8, and of course a 12volt system. The water temp sensor has been removed from the engine and the hole plugged. The pickup still has the original Ford inst. panel cluster, which has a water temp. meter. There is now 12volts coming to one side of the temp guage, and when I ground the terminal on the other side of the guage, the needle moves very slowly from "H" over to "C" . So , the guage seems to be in operative condition, but my question is: Does anyone out there know what sensor I should get to make this system fairly accurate ?? Thanks in advance, Bill

 

[Ole Don]

Stick a Ford sensor in the hole, use a pipe bushing if you need the hole smaller. If you need to go smaller on the sender, use a one from a Pinto.

 

[Dobie Gillis]

If the gauge is original be careful about feeding it 12v. Get a mid 60's Mustang cluster voltage regulator (CVR) to reduce the voltage to 6v; one will reduce the voltage to all the gauges. Most auto parts stores will have access to them although they may not keep them in stock. Then cobble up a T fitting to a mechanical temp gauge and run it. If the mechanical gauge and the stock gauge are reasonably close you're good to go. Ford used King Seeley gauges back then and their principle of operation differs from most others. They used heated bimetal arms in the senders and gauges. You need the matching sender for the original gauge to work.