Adding additional coolant temp sensor?

[Todd]

I wanted to add an additional temp sensor to the Marauder.

Since the car hasn't sold or traded yet, I just ordered $600 worth of Spal fans, controller, and wiring.

To get the best signal for the controller, I ordered their temp sensor as well. It is 3/8's pipe thread. Spals controller can tap into the signal of the factory sensor but even Spal talks about some inconsistencies in the 'Ford Modular Coolant Temp Sensor Signals'.

Has anyone added an additional temp sensor? Where did you tap into? I assume just buying adapter plumbing parts at home depot and using a 't' to adapt where one of the factory sensors screw in.

[FordNut]

What I would do for the best possible control signal is put a pipe thread bung in the main section of the coolant crossover tube. After the passenger's and driver's side outlets connect together into the main tube but before the hose Tees off and goes down to the thermostat.

The easiest way is probably to do what I did. Get a thermostat housing from a MkVIII. The fitting for the coolant overflow reservoir connects to the thermostat housing instead of a Tee into the bottom hose. Take out the hose fitting and tap it for 3/8" NPT. Downside is that point is post-radiator so it lags the coolant crossover tube temperature reading as well as being cooler. That's where I put a sensor for my transmission controller.

Another option is to connect a temp sensor to a remote oil filter adapter. Most of them have extra fittings that have to be plugged off. From the feedback I've gotten the oil temperature and water temperature are virtually the same.

[Todd]

Cool, thanks bro.. That might be a good option.

I just found another possible option. http://www.prodata-net.com/2003Cobra/WaterTempAdapter.htm

It is a adapter that goes in the crossover tube. I just need to see if the adapter with a Spal temp sensor will clear the hood. I think it will.

But that thermostat housing may be good. The spal controller is computer controlled. And can be set to any temp. So worst case I just adjust the temps to account for it reading after the radiator.



What I would do for the best possible control signal is put a pipe thread bung in the main section of the coolant crossover tube. After the passenger's and driver's side outlets connect together into the main tube but before the hose Tees off and goes down to the thermostat.

The easiest way is probably to do what I did. Get a thermostat housing from a MkVIII. The fitting for the coolant overflow reservoir connects to the thermostat housing instead of a Tee into the bottom hose. Take out the hose fitting and tap it for 3/8" NPT. Downside is that point is post-radiator so it lags the coolant crossover tube temperature reading as well as being cooler. That's where I put a sensor for my transmission controller.

Another option is to connect a temp sensor to a remote oil filter adapter. Most of them have extra fittings that have to be plugged off. From the feedback I've gotten the oil temperature and water temperature are virtually the same.

[cougar9150]

Does this mean your keeping it? If you are I will have to come pay you and Landy a visit to see this beast in person.

[Todd]

Unfortunately the guy got back with me last night and said he no longer makes this part. Nothing can be easy, right......

So I may go for the thermostat housing. Will look at it over the weekend.





Cool, thanks bro.. That might be a good option.

I just found another possible option. http://www.prodata-net.com/2003Cobra/WaterTempAdapter.htm

It is a adapter that goes in the crossover tube. I just need to see if the adapter with a Spal temp sensor will clear the hood. I think it will.

But that thermostat housing may be good. The spal controller is computer controlled. And can be set to any temp. So worst case I just adjust the temps to account for it reading after the radiator.

[Todd]

Does this mean your keeping it? If you are I will have to come pay you and Landy a visit to see this beast in person.



Well, I have a few guys thinking about trades. One guy that is waiting for some money to come through. So if it goes, it goes.

I love the car. I just want to move on. So it is still for sale. But I wanted to get the couple things that I wanted done, done. So there are no excuses for it not selling except people just not having the money.

In the mean time, I will put these fans on and run it!!!!

[Pops]

Great to see you posting again Todd!:)

[Glenn]

The easiest and quickest location is the bottom of the oil filter adaptor. It has a plug in it for sensors, etc. It will read oil temperature, but as Brian said it should be nearly the same. I have an oil temperature sensor in mine and it basically also indicates water temperature. Keep in mind the oil filter adapter also carries coolant as well as oil. I can't image that the temperature at this location wouldn't work for your application.

Glenn Ford :burnout:

[cougar9150]

Well, I have a few guys thinking about trades. One guy that is waiting for some money to come through. So if it goes, it goes.

I love the car. I just want to move on. So it is still for sale. But I wanted to get the couple things that I wanted done, done. So there are no excuses for it not selling except people just not having the money.

In the mean time, I will put these fans on and run it!!!!

That was my main issue, it was almost doable but I would have been asking the wife to make a couple big sacrifices. She was willing but really wants to finish remodeling the house this year so we can sell and get a bigger one, then it is baby making time. Didn't want to ask her to put having kids on hold for another couple of years.

Enjoy it while you still have it and if you need some help on the work feel free to hit me up. I would love to just see the setup let alone help you improve it.

Phil

[offroadkarter]

In the mean time, I will put these fans on and run it!!!!

Please X1000 get some good videos, i wanna hear the turbo!

[tjl006]

The evenflow cooling mod company makes an adapter for temp sensors that fits in one of the two rear freeze out plugs. If your car doesnt have the head cooling mod this may be an option.