Gauge install ?

[alienturtle]

I purchased myself a set of glowshift gauges for my 89 7.3 have them all installed EGT, Water Temp, Boost on the 3 gauge pod..Im having problems with the water temp gauge. i dont care about the gauges in the dash so what i did was.

went to the #2 cylinder and removed the old temp sensor..purchased an 1/2 to 1/8npt adapter and used Teflon tape to install my sensor that came with the water temp gauge. The W/LB wire that was used for the old gauge is hooked to the white wire of the 2 wire sensor and the black wire is connected to ground. I had the cluster out of the truck so i just found the W/lb wire at the cluster and pulled it out of the connector. Hooked it to the gauge and figured it would be better than running all theses wires all over the place..

the problem im having is when it was 57 degrees out this morning the gauge said it was 170 water temp..and when i drive it..it slowly goes up to 300 and just max's out.

any ideas?

 

[PowerbyFord]

I am guessing these are electric guages? Make sure you have them grounded good. I put a full set of electric guages in my father in laws 56 Dodge panel truck, and they went haywire when power was put to them because of a loose ground.

 

[alienturtle]

i just realized i took the wire for the overheat warning switch..the engine coolant temp is the other one on the top of the block..boo!

 

[alienturtle]

Now im just confused..i have 3 sensors to choose from..the

Engine Coolant Temp Sensor 2 wire located by the coolant hose
Coolant Temp Sender 1 wire behind the ac pump
and the Overheat Warning Switch 1 wire near cylinder 2

Which sensor does the factory gauge use..

 

[Agnem]

The factory temp sender is the one in the block on the drivers side. Not the one in the head, which as you noted is the overtemp switch.

 

[redneckaggie]

I would much rather run all new wires because my autometer gauges said that if i did not use 14 gauge wire ran directly from the sending unit to the gauge with no splices, it would throw the calibration of the gauge off resulting in incorrect readings and even gauge damage.

 

[RWF350]

Alienturtle, where did you get the triple pod for the '89? Or did you modify a later model? I've been looking high & low.

 

[alienturtle]

its from the 92-what ever years with the top and bottom cut off..it looks really good..here are some pics. Im working on fiberglassing the other 2 gauges i have.. i actually wrapped it and fiberglassed it just havent cleaned it up and smoothed it out yet..

 

[Chevyboy_0]

Is the Water temp gauge electric or mechanical? if its electric you shouldnt use Teflon tape on it because the sending unit uses the Head/Block as a ground

 

[alienturtle]

its electric..but the sender is a 2 wire..one ground and 1 to the gauge.. works perfect

 

[GRU]

i have the same gauges. i have them mounted in a pod on the dash above the radio facing me. during the day i cant read them at all. not even alittle bit. but boy at night they are beautiful!