Water & Oil temperatures sensor question

[Pman1961]

I'm beginning to think that the sensor for the oil is run to the water gauge and the water to the oil gauge. I'm unfamiliar with the copper line with the wire coil covering going to the sensors. There is a metal casing at the top or the probe that looks as if it may be some sort of push on or lock device. It also appears as if this metal base could help prevent damage to the line at the probe. Can I detach this wire from the sensor probe for testing purposes?

[jhv48]

The spiraling wire is a protector for the fragile tube that it surrounds. Don't mess with it. They are very fragile and can break easily.

If you think the two sensors are reversed, remove the one from the remote oil filter (they unscrew easily. Don't lose the tiny copper washer that will fall out. You will reuse it) and immerse it in a cup of hot water. Then check to see which gauge moves. If the water temp gauge moves, then the sensors have been switched.

[Pman1961]

Well...I believe the sensors are correct now and let me explain. I went from a 351w 385hp to a KCR 445w. The oil temperature with the 445w on the highway was running around 100c and when I opened her up a little the temperature went to 110c. The temperature was slow to drop. The whole time the water temperature was reading low low and as of my last jolt it is non-functioning. My buddies 427sbf reads about the same temperature. My 351w oil temps did go up to a 100c but not really any higher. This is all part of sorting this new engine/tranny combo out. More horsepower more heat. My question originally is can you pull the copper tube sensor line out of the temperature probe or are they one piece?

[Blas]

It's a brass tube I believe, one piece, filled with ether...VERY sensitive to bending and other such misc. fiddling

[Rick Parker]

No you can not pull it out.

[Gaz64]

The gauge will not work if the line gets fractured, be it from vibration or rough handling.
You'll smell the ether if the line fractures while you're removing the sensor from the engine.