Water temp sensor location?

[DocDirk]

I'm still working in my crusade to control running temperature in my 533 BB Ford. The return from the surge tank to the thermostat housing made measuring the water temperature at the housing problematic so I pulled a low engine block plug and inserted the sensor there. Could the water temperature measurement at that point be misleading compared to one taken at the outflow point of the Tstat housing?

Thanks!

Dirk

[kitcarbp]

The engine temp is best measured closest to the T-stat outlet or on the 460 in the intake manifold water jacket. You want to measure the hottest point or where the coolant is leaving the engine. In a correctly sized and efficient rad/fan combo the coolant temp delta (difference) should be about 10-15F between the rad inlet and outlet at max ambient operating temp (110F). Mounting the coolant sensor low on the engine block will give you a little lower temps (closer to rad outlet temp) compared to intake manifold water jacket. Leave the sensor in the intake water jacket.