hello all. i have a quick question. i am planning on installing an autometer temp gauge in my car, as i beleive the stock gauge does not function properly. i remember seeing 230 on an obd2 scanner and gauge never went past half. (yes the head gasket was blown, currently in the process of fixing it) So i am gonna install an aftermarket one. on the generic install video it says to mount the sensor in an empty coolant hole, like on the intake, but if i remember correctly, there is no coolant flow through the manifold. i wanted to try a radiator hose adapter for the sensor, but the only ones autometer sells wont fit the stock hose. i was thinking about removing the fan switch on the thermostat housing (doesnt work anyway) and putting it there. the fan is already set to run all the time. would it fit there? has anyone else ever done this before? is there a better place for this to go than there? something im missing?
are there any other hose adapters that will work for an autometer gauge?

1997 Geo Prizm 1.6 3spd auto

The fan switch is on the radiator side of thermostat, so you’ll only get the temp of coolant going to radiator, ie when cold it won’t read actual coolant temp until tstat opens. Same issue if you put it on the hose. However, I don’t know if anywhere else yup could put it, so that’s probably your best option

 

The fan switch is on the radiator side of thermostat, so you’ll only get the temp of coolant going to radiator, ie when cold it won’t read actual coolant temp until tstat opens. Same issue if you put it on the hose. However, I don’t know if anywhere else yup could put it, so that’s probably your best option

I also heard somewhere that most relatively modern cars, the gauge is nothing more than a glorified idiot light, could it be that it never got hot enough to trip that into going up? The sensor is fine, it runs like garbage if i unplug it, and it shows real temp on the obd2. Im just confused, this is just the weirdest thing.

 

they probably have a dual fitting you can use on the same fitting, one that has threads for a temp sensor and your gauge sensor too. Maybe a place like Napa has one. Just match the correct size for flow and the exact same threads, and depth. A performance shop might have the stuff you need.

 

What is the npt thread pitch/size on the t-stat housing? I would check myself but the car is pretty far away atm

 

I'd need to go check myself, but I'd wonder if you couldn't put the new sending unit in place of the stock sender for the gauge cluster. You aren't using it anyway, and it is separate from the fan switch (which you can probably replace if you really wanted to).