Engine oil temp

[Bertram65]

Has anyone installed an engine oil temp gauge? I am going to add one and need to know where the temp probe can go. The probe is 1/8th NPT so if it does not obtruct flow it could go in one of the two ports on top of the oil filter mount. Thanks for any info.

 

[rbattelle]

I have not yet installed one, but here's my plan. I bought a standard 1/8 NPT cross (brass, from Swagelok or wherever you like to get your fittings): male on one arm, females on all the others. This will allow me to run my oil pressure gauge (already installed), bypass filter (coming shortly), and oil temperature gauge (this summer) from the same port. I use the port directly over the filter.



Be sure to use some Teflon tape (or your favorite thread sealer).

 

[Bertram65]

Thanks for the info. I would like to be able to put the probe directly in the fitting on the oil filter mount my only concern is that it could impede flow somehow. I could use a male to female adapter and then put the probe in that, but i think it might not get enough flow around it to get an accurate reading. I will have to take out the plug and see what it looks like.

 

[rbattelle]

It's just a run-of-the-mill 1/8 NPT plug. I wouldn't hesitate to put the probe right in that port... it won't impede any flow at all.

 

[y-knot]

I monitor the oil pressure and temperature from the aux oil fitting in the filter mount. The oil generally runs in the 140-160 range, yours may vary by location, type and outdoor temp. I took and close nipple, then a T-fitting. The pressure sender went in the side of the tee, and the temp sender in the top. Just take your time and use Teflon tape and pipe dope. The filter housing is aluminum, and will crack if you tighten the fittings to tight, so be careful. It really does make a great place to get reading from, and it does not interfere with any engine maintenance. I would recommend the use of electric gages, I do not like taking fluids into the cab.

 

[Bertram65]

Thanks for the help, I installed the probe, I put a picture in my gallery of it. Now I just have to wait for my SRT-10 pillar to come in so I can put the gauge in.

 

[JStieger]

y-knot,



I took a look in your reader's rig gallery and that's a nice looking truck you got! Do you have any pictures that show how you laid your gauges out in your cab? If your outside pics are any indication, your inside pics must show something really neat and tidy.



Also, are all the factory gauges idiot lights like the oil pressure gauge or do the factory temperature and voltmeter gauges reflect real numbers?

 

[Prairie Dog]

The voltage gage is disabled when you first start the truck so that you don't see the huge voltage drop caused by the grid heaters. It works normally after you hit appx 15 - 20 mph. The temp gage always works in a normal manner.

 

[Bertram65]

Finished the install today, with the SRT-10 pillar mount, moved the EGT guage to the pillar and put the oil temp in it's place in the cubby mount. Took it for a ride runs at 210 degrees at a steady 70 MPH, goes down to 200 around town. Seems high but I guess the anti-freeze is around 200 so I guess it's not too bad. Anyone else have a oil temp guage? What temps are you seeing?