r1sky5.0

Whats the difference between an electrical an a mechanical water temp gauge?I mean between how they work and how accurately they read temperature? How does the electrical gauge work and how does the mechanical gauge work? I also have another question regarding where to place the temperature switch for the aftermarket gauge, I recently changed the thermostat and changed the thermostat housing and it has a hole for some kind of switch that was never used so I had to buy a plug and I was wondering if I can plug the switch for the gauge there and would it still get the right temperature?

r1sky5.0

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...estions=%5B%5D

I have the first water outlet that appears on the page and if you enlarge the picture you can see the opening on top of the outlet!

mjr46

you have an early model/60's/70's t-stat housing, they are the only ones that had a tapped hole there...and no you don't want the sensor after the t-stat, it belongs in the intake, a mech gauge use a copper tube for heat transfer to the gauge.... a electrical gauge uses a sending unit that is a variable resistor that the gauge interprets the resistance reading and the greater the resistance often indicates low temp and the lesser the resistance = higher temp and the gauge reflects such in movement of the needle

r1sky5.0

So which one would be recommended to use as my gauge?

mjr46

I like mechanical, but either or is fine

r1sky5.0

Got it. Thank you mjr46!!!

r1sky5.0

Got it. Thank you mjr46!!! wOuld you happen to know what do I need to install the water temp gauge besides the gauge and the sender?

mjr46

if you get a mech one just install the sender into the port after you run it through the firewall and all you have to wire up is the illumination to the dash lights

r1sky5.0

The mechanical one does not need the negative ground wire or buyin more gauge wire?

mjr46

only wiring on a mech gauge is the light bulb for illumination = 1 ground and 1 to 12v dash illumination