My temperature guage isn't working so Im guesing it's either the sender or the the thermostat.

Is it difficult toreplace the sender?

 

No.
The sender is the brass pieceto the right of the distributor in this picture.
Should be in a similar location on your car.
I always recommend you buy the service manual for your car.
Buy the special socket to change it(NAPA).Otherwise you'll crack the new one!
Thermostat has no control over the gauge.

[IMG]local://upfiles/95778/62352BE2EE764B0EB670E5E3012CC600.jpg[/IMG]

 

Does thisspecial socket have a name?

 

I used a regular deep socket with mine. I don't recall the size but I took the sender over to the wall and found the right fit in a deep socket and did not have problems.

 

deep well socket to install adapter. teflon take on adapter and sending unit itself. i think its either 11/16ths or 9/16th deep well if i remember correctly. then a 1/2 inch open ended wrench to tighten the sending unit into the adapter.

 

Got it, thanks.