I'm going to use a T fitting to install my mechanical temp gauge, how much will the temp be off without the circulation of being directly in the coolant flow?

Also, the factory sending unit that the microprocessor uses will be out of flow as well as it will be up in the T adapter, will this throw the readings off and affect MPG\check engine light?

 

which part of the T will everything be hooked to. What is on the left side, right side, and bottom side?

 

I'm putting the factory unit closest to the hole on the thermostat housing so hopefully it won't throw the reading off much.

Doesn't matter if the new temp gauge is not that accurate, at least it will give me some idea of coolant temp which is better than the idiot light.

 

i would just put a T in the heater hose that comes off the t-stat housing.

leave the factory unit where it is the cut the heater hose and install the T-fitting in line. then computer wont be confused and your temp is only off by about 5 degrees. this is how i have mine and it works great. i checked it with a digital laser thermometer. jeep was at 210 and temp guage said 205

 

What material is your fitting, brass? and do you happen to remember the diameter?

 

I guess this is what you mean even though I think that's an electrical gauge.

 

i think it was 1/2? i used a piece of plumbing pipe i got from the hardware store and got a nut with the same threads as the temp sensor. drilled a whole big enough for the sending unit to go into, then welded the nut to the tube. used teflon tape to seal it. year later, and still no leak.

 

thats exactly what i mean but i would put it closer to where it comes out the engine....you will get a more accurate reading

 

I hate how redneck that looks, but I don't want the CEL to come on so I guess the heater hose is the way I'll go.

 

looks ghetto....works great. i figure its under my hood and no one see's it. best way to do it in my opinion

 

Stupid question: Does the heater hose even have any coolant flow if the heater is not on?

 

i dont think so...i dont have the valve in mine, it runs thru the heater core all the time

 

lol, then there's no point in me doing it.

 

build a bigger one to go inline in your upper rad. hose....same concept

 

after looking at it, there HAS to be coolant flowing thru the heater hose when the thermostat is open, I don't see any kind of valve in the thermostat housing to prevent coolant flow into the heater hose once the thermostat is open.