Oil Temp Sender To Sump Plug?

[benjam]

Hi all,

Currently have boost and oil pressure gauges and now about to install oil temp. I've had a big long search and there seems to be more advice pointing to installing the oil temp sender in place of the sump plug, not sure if anyone's done it though.

Will a brass adapter be suitable? The sender is 1/8" NPT and I believe the sump plug is (M)14mm x 1.5. VDO make an adapter to suit model# 320.054. Will I need any kind of washer or collar to go inbetween adapter and sump to avoid leaks? Another thought, would getting another sump plug and having it drilled and tapped to suit be a better option?

As mentioned I already have an oil pressure gauge and the sender for that is connected via a t-piece to the oil pressure switch located near the oil filter. I did consider using another t-piece, but the oil temp sender extends way past the end of the thread so doesn't fit in the t-piece as there's not enough room. Besides probably not good to have two t-pieces hanging off the block.

Cheers.

Ben

[f-wolf]

  benjam said:

Hi all,

Currently have boost and oil pressure gauges and now about to install oil temp. I've had a big long search and there seems to be more advice pointing to installing the oil temp sender in place of the sump plug, not sure if anyone's done it though.

Will a brass adapter be suitable? The sender is 1/8" NPT and I believe the sump plug is (M)14mm x 1.5. VDO make an adapter to suit model# 320.054. Will I need any kind of washer or collar to go inbetween adapter and sump to avoid leaks? Another thought, would getting another sump plug and having it drilled and tapped to suit be a better option?

As mentioned I already have an oil pressure gauge and the sender for that is connected via a t-piece to the oil pressure switch located near the oil filter. I did consider using another t-piece, but the oil temp sender extends way past the end of the thread so doesn't fit in the t-piece as there's not enough room. Besides probably not good to have two t-pieces hanging off the block.

Cheers.

Ben

Re, Another thought, would getting another sump plug and having it drilled and tapped to suit be a better option?

I have done one of my cars , a 4x4, and it works very nicely.

Only problem with the Ford is that, the Sump Plug is only 12mm where it screw in to the Sump !!

There may not be enough " Meat " to do it.

Edited 22/05/07 04:53 AM by f-wolf

[Adrian6T]

As we speak one of our works machine shops is pricing up for me a custom fitting to allow 2 1/8 NPT fittings to be fitted to the block where the factory sender is.

It will be made from a piece of brass hex rod. One end will be Male 1/4BSP and the other Female 1/4 BSP. Between them on one face will be 2 off 1/8 NPT females for both my Electric Oil Pressure and Electric Oil Temp gauges.

When I get a price ill post it up. I know it wont be too cheap as it is a one off.

[R UTE]

Hi Benjam

It is just possible to get a 1/8 NPT sender into the standard sump plug.

I had the use of a lathe to drill out the sump plug and then just hand tapped the hole.

Its was a bit touch and go but no leaks yet

Russ

[Adrian6T]

Well I have the price. A carton of Crown Lager.

Ill get it made when my gauges arrive.

Cheers

Adrian

[Adrian6T]

Here is a quick photo chop of what I am getting made.

Cheers

Adrian

[benjam]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Wish I was back in high school metalwork class, oh the projects I could have done by now!

Russ that setup looks like what I need, glad it can be done.

Adrian, how's the depth for the 1/8" threads compared with the length of your oil temp sender? I have an autometer sender and it is too long or the brass hex rod of the current t-piece is not big enough in diameter. Looks good the pic you made up, please post a pic of the real thing!

Cheers.

Ben

Edited 22/05/07 01:38 PM by benjam

[Adrian6T]

  benjam said:

Thanks for the replies guys.

Wish I was back in high school metalwork class, oh the projects I could have done by now!

Russ that setup looks like what I need, glad it can be done.

Adrian, how's the depth for the 1/8" threads compared with the length of your oil temp sender? I have an autometer sender and it is too long or the brass hex rod of the current t-piece is not big enough in diameter. Looks good the pic you made up, please post a pic of the real thing!

Cheers.

Ben

Ben

I have to wait for a couple of weeks for my gauges to arrive and then I will be taking the two electronic senders to the machine shop to get fitted up so they are spot on.

I'll re-visit this thread in a couple of weeks with pics.

Cheers

Adrian

[benjam]

  Adrian6T said:

Ben

I have to wait for a couple of weeks for my gauges to arrive and then I will be taking the two electronic senders to the machine shop to get fitted up so they are spot on.

I'll re-visit this thread in a couple of weeks with pics.

Cheers

Adrian

Thanks Adrian, should look good.

I rang a few places today and found a local retired guy with a heap of machinery in his garage that does one off jobs etc. Well I'm going to go down the sump plug route, I've commissioned him to make a new plug from scratch for me. With the original plug being 12mm x 1.75 there was only going to be 0.9mm of metal left on each side of it after drilling out. So the new plug will basically have a longer hex part to accomodate the bulk of the sender and a smaller diameter hole going through the plug for the oil to get in there. I'll take a pic when it's all finished as well.

Ben

[Adrian6T]

  benjam said:

Thanks Adrian, should look good.

I rang a few places today and found a local retired guy with a heap of machinery in his garage that does one off jobs etc. Well I'm going to go down the sump plug route, I've commissioned him to make a new plug from scratch for me. With the original plug being 12mm x 1.75 there was only going to be 0.9mm of metal left on each side of it after drilling out. So the new plug will basically have a longer hex part to accomodate the bulk of the sender and a smaller diameter hole going through the plug for the oil to get in there. I'll take a pic when it's all finished as well.

Ben

Nice. Should work fine.