Straight-up timing set for a 400

[LEB Ben]

Well...this thread became rather elaborate.

 

[fatherdoug]

I was shooting for my own thread with 100 posts.

 

[fatherdoug]

Can someone tell me what the pipe fitting size is for the temp sensing probe in the 400 engine. I bought an Autometer temp gauge which came with a UNF/pipe thread adapter which is way too big. I looked at my old one last night and it looks like the pipe thread might be 1/4 or 3/8? If that is the case, the temp probe end might be too big for the old fitting.

I need the size of the fitting that actually screws into the block. Thank you.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Where are you putting it?....my block is kinda handy down in the garage. My original sender was in the stat housing I think.

 

[fatherdoug]

Mine is in the block behind the alternator. I think it is a 3/8" NPT? The temp indicator/vacuum switch for the EGR is in the thermostat housing on mine.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Mine is in the block behind the alternator. I think it is a 3/8" NPT? The temp indicator/vacuum switch for the EGR is in the thermostat housing on mine.

I will go look

 

[fatherdoug]

Thank you, Sir! It's not like I'm going to work on it in below zero weather. I just want to have everything in place when it does happen............in July.

 

[DNFXDLI]

3/8-18 would be it and I think that was where mine was...I think I was imagining the t-stat housing

 

[fatherdoug]

Thank you, Duncan. I appreciate that. Looks like it will fit, then. I ordered a 3/8 UNF adapter to pipe thread.

Here's what I bought. It should give me a pretty good idea of actual temp.

 

[DNFXDLI]

No problemo
That looks good and a nice wide scale where you need it!

 

[fatherdoug]

Thank you, Duncan. I appreciate that. Looks like it will fit, then. I ordered a 3/8 UNF adapter to pipe thread.

Here's what I bought. It should give me a pretty good idea of actual temp.

Installed this guy today. Took about an hour, after I got the radiator partially drained. Looks like the temps are about 10 deg lower than the old stewart warner gauge. The UNF adapter that I ordered from Summitt did not fit into the block very well(quite loose), so I just used the old adapter.

The full sweep, narrow range(120-240 deg) is quite nice. You can actuially tell what the temp is without having to guess. We will see how things look this summer.

 

[Beach66Bum]

Nice Doug
now we need a pic of it installed please

 

[fatherdoug]

Ask, and ye shall receive. I drove the truck for about an hour tonight, with speeds up to 65 mph, and at 32 deg ambient, the temp never got above 188 deg, which means the thermostat never even opened up.

This is more in line with what I would expect to see, given the size of the radiator I have on the truck(supercooling). Can't wait to see what happens this summer. I still plan on changing the timing set this spring, for a bigger grin.

 

[m78]

Did you bench test the therm, to see what temp it opened ?

 

[fatherdoug]

Did you bench test the therm, to see what temp it opened ?

Yes, I did, Mark. The thermostat started opening about 190 deg, and it is rated as a 192 deg thermostat, from Robert Shaw.

 

[Beach66Bum]

Yes, I did, Mark. The thermostat started opening about 190 deg, and it is rated as a 192 deg thermostat, from Robert Shaw.

and when where the eggs done?

looks nice Doug, just don't stare at it to long at one time and have an accident with a tree. Just saying, not from experience or anything...

 

[fatherdoug]

and when where the eggs done?

looks nice Doug, just don't stare at it to long at one time and have an accident with a tree. Just saying, not from experience or anything...

The eggs were done later. I can only cook one thing at a time.

 

[SuperCab]

Looks good

 

[DNFXDLI]

Right on Doug!

 

[fatherdoug]

Was going to do this job today, and tomorrow, since it is so warm, but decided to wait till later in the spring. Still working up the courage.........