Mechanical water temp gauge installation

[Daryl]

Is this the correct port to install the new gauge?

 

[Daryl]

Excellent! Easy to get to

 

[Daryl]

Guppa goffee and away I go

 

[Daryl]

… and we’re again at a stopping point. Red adapter too big; had to order #2263 AutoMeter adapter. Shit! Here tomorrow via Amazon Prime.

 

[Daryl]

.

 

[ttocs]

You could probably find a brass reducer at the local hardware store.

 

[Daryl]

You could probably find a brass reducer at the local hardware store.

I actually found a set of 4, various sizes, @ VatoZone, but after reading the reviews, I opted to wait a day, spend the extra whopping $2and get the AutoMeter one for qualities sake!

 

[Daryl]

Just got delivered, so a little too late to start in on today. So, tomorrow or Tuesday as schedule allows

 

[Daryl]

Ooh, shocker…. another stopping point! Need a 7/8” hole saw. Pick it up tomorrow @ Home Depot. Errrrrgh!!

 

[Daryl]

Where’s a good spot to drill the 7/8” hole in the firewall?? Has anyone done this and/or have pics??
Thanks!!!

 

[Daryl]

Is the (supplied) black plastic mounting bracket always used on the gauge bezel?

Never mind, got it!

 

[95opal]

Where’s a good spot to drill the 7/8” hole in the firewall?? Has anyone done this and/or have pics??
Thanks!!!

That will depend on were on the dash your gauge is going and how you want to route the temp probe wire.

Is the (supplied) black plastic mounting bracket always used on the gauge bezel?

The plastic bracket is what keeps the gauge mounted tight in its location.

 

[Daryl]

I’ve mounted it under the headlight switch

 

[95opal]

May want to try and run it threw the main harness hole in the fender well.

 

[Daryl]

Is this a viable candidate? It feels like a smooshed grommet (?) that at least I could get to with the hole saw. Just not sure what, if anything, is on the other side of the firewall??

 

[Daryl]

That will depend on were on the dash your gauge is going and how you want to route the temp probe wire.

The plastic bracket is what keeps the gauge mounted tight in its location.

I got the bracket in. A bit tenuous because I was afraid of cracking the bezel as I finessed it into place. But it’s in place and no mishaps

 

[Daryl]

3/8” adapter’s in…

How should I route the cable from firewall to the water neck? Instructions urge you to stay away from direct heat and moving parts of course, but what’s best and looks “proper”??

 

[ttocs]

you can just run it next to the injector harness with some wire ties, under the upper intake. Bonus points are awarded for covering it in some kind of protective tubing/techflex/convolute plastic tubing for neatness and just a little more protection

 

[Daryl]

I’m looking for a place that would be “safe” to punch through with the hole saw. I located a potential spot left of the brake booster at about the 9:00 o’clock position. To the touch it feels like an old grommet kind of material or some kind of seam sealer and I can get a drill in there. close-up and pull back pics attached.

Does anyone recognize this spot and is it safe to drill the hole there without hitting something on the interior side?
This is pretty important so many thanks!

 

[ttocs]

you can probably run it through the factory grommet that all the stock wiring goes through as there was always plenty of room for me to run a 4 awg amp power wire through them when I was installing. Otherwise when it comes time to drill you just need to find a spot that you can see on both sides. Say it is 3" to the right of the brake cable on one side, look 3" to the left on the other side to see if it is clear. It is also helpful to make a small hole first and then you can shine a light through it to ensure it is where you want it. Small holes are much easier to fill/fix if it is off a bit than big holes. I normally do a small hole first and then use a stepper bit for the larger.