Adding Aftermarket Gauges

[dirtyoldman]

I'm going to be getting aftermarket gauges real soon and would like to know which sending unit to connect the wire for the coolant temp to.There are two on my big block(don't know about the small blocks),one on each head.I believe one goes to the ECM and one goes to the dash gauge,which is which?Also,I want ot add a mechanical oil pressure gauge to the existing sending unit which is below the #1 spark plug.I'm thinking I can get a ''t'' adapter and add the gauge there.Is this doable and will it interfere with the sending units signals to the ECM?

 

[ScottyBoy]

I remember a LOOOONG time ago my brother added a triple guage to his Monte Carlo. He did put a T for the oil sending unit. For the temp sensor, there just happened to be a threaded plug in the intake manifold on a coolant passage.

 

[Kennyray]

Temp gauge should have only 1 wire on the sending unit.

 

[Bigredmariner]

A T for the oil sending unit will work, just use a good machined block T and not one of the cast T's from the hardware stores. You want the rigidity of the block T so it won't crack from vibration and weight. But it will not usually effect the signal doing it that way.

Temp gauge you can see if there is another port to tap into, or remove the wire from the existing units to figure out which one goes where.

 

[dirtyoldman]

I remember a LOOOONG time ago my brother added a triple guage to his Monte Carlo. He did put a T for the oil sending unit. For the temp sensor, there just happened to be a threaded plug in the intake manifold on a coolant passage.

Hmmmm,there is a big allen head plug right in front of the TBI....I wonder Wait a munute...isn't there a plug on each side of the block below the exhaust ports for draining the block?...I'll check it out.

Temp gauge should have only 1 wire on the sending unit.

Mine has one wire to each one....

A T for the oil sending unit will work, just use a good machined block T and not one of the cast T's from the hardware stores. You want the rigidity of the block T so it won't crack from vibration and weight. But it will not usually effect the signal doing it that way.

Temp gauge you can see if there is another port to tap into, or remove the wire from the existing units to figure out which one goes where.

Duhhhh,should've thought of removing a wire

 

[Kennyray]

I believe the coolant sending unit is located in the drivers side head.

 

[dirtyoldman]

I believe the coolant sending unit is located in the drivers side head.

I'll go check...brb

 

[dirtyoldman]

I believe the coolant sending unit is located in the drivers side head.

I'll go check...brb

Yep,you're right Thanks Ken,that will help I also just noticed there's a bolt with a head about 3/4'' right about where the coolant crossover is in the intake...wonder if I can connect a gauge there?

I'm thinking if I ''y'' off the existing sensor wire it might mess up the dash gauge..

 

[Kennyray]

The head on the other side probably has a plug in it where a sending unit can go.

 

[ScottyBoy]

If you have a new coolant sensor that came with the guages, I would try to mount in in one of the water jackets.