Texasdoc,
Your description of how determine
oil level sounds correct.
Look at the pan makers web sight and determine capacity, ie 7 quarts. Then change
oil and add the amount of
oil, ie 7 quarts. Don't start the engine. Mark the dipstick.
Then start it and add enough oil to make up for oil filter and oil cooler capacity, so that the oil level comes to the mark you made on the dip stick.
With the level determined properly, you shouldn't have a problem uncovering the temp sender.
John