Is there an aftermarket temp gauge that will work with a 56 12 volt sender? I'm wanting to add a back up gauge.

Durham Missouri

Here is a few places to start looking.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/Gauge+-+Water+Temperature+%28Universal%29/N0527/C0134.oap
http://www.autoanything.com/gauges/20A50698A1.aspx?N=4294955965
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=lp_15729701_nr_n_25/138-4373991-8047646?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A15684181%2Cn%3A%2115690151%2Cn%3A15719731%2Cn%3A15729591%2Cn%3A15729601%2Cn%3A15729701%2Cn%3A15729821&bbn=15729701&ie=UTF8&qid=1494638173&rnid=15729701

The guage needs to be specificaly matched to the sending unit. In order to have a back up on my Bird I have a Stewart Warner gauge under the dash with the matching sending unit in the passanger side head.

Is there an alternative location that will work? My passenger side head still has a freeze plug and there is no way to install the bung without pulling the dizzy and intake. Plus I don't think a sending unit would fit anyway with the MSD dizzy. The one I have now in in a port on the water pump and it doesn't work well. It could be the gauge but none the less it never reads past 170 even though I know the engine is hotter than that. I was thinking about putting a sender in the side of the block were the drain petcocks are. Any suggestions?

Durham Missouri

I always drill and tap the intake next to the t stat housing, drivers side. But that's a pull the intake program. You could tee into the heater hose, but that only works with the heater on. Until I had a reason to pull the intake, I just use an infrared thermometer. It will tell you where your temp gauge is really reading, and the difference between the stock sender at the back and the temp at the stat. As well as the upper hose, top tank, and maybe even the lower hose.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Thanks. I have been checking it with a infared gun. With a 195 thermostat I haven't found a spot hotter than 205 yet. I am just thinking about ditching the factory gauge for now and using that spot for the sender. I know the factory gauge will be adequate but I like to see the actual temp.

Durham Missouri

Aftermarket gauges typically come with senders so all you have to do is replace the stock sender with the sender included with the gauge.


Lawrenceville, GA

The 3/8” NPT threaded hole located right behind the thermostat is a suitable candidate for a temperature sending unit.  If using that particular threaded hole for the heater hose connection, then a Tee could be considered at that location.  That forward location would give the most accurate reading of the engine temperature.  The factory location at the rear of the left side head (drivers side U.S.A.) tends to give a temperature reading that’s 10-15° lower than actual.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Jeff, others have address location for sender. I am not an expert on instruments and senders but 1956 was a unique year for fuel and temp gauges and senders. It was different than 55 and earlier and 57 and later. As mentioned above, senders and gauges must match and seems like you are going that route. If your sender is an OEM it would be valuable to someone with a 56. I understand the re-pops are less accurate than OEM - Bob

AKA   Bob-93021