Water Temperature Gauge

[thecj3man]

Since I have melted my first motor, I would like to put a mechanical water temperature gauge on my 88 truck.  I have a SR5 cluster in my truck, but I do not trust the factory gauge.  My only problem is I do not know where would be the best place to put it.  Is there a tapped hole already in the engine that I could use, or will I need to drill and tap my own hole somewhere?  If there is a hole somewhere, will I need to find a metric adaptor, or do most gauge companies sell units with metric threads? 

Thanks,
Bill

[Huhwhye]

Remove the factory sender and replace with one from Autometer.  Your factory gauge wont work anyway but it sucks and doesn't tell you anything so who cares.  You will have to order an extra part, available from Autometer that adapts Metric to NPT since your sender hole is metric and most aftermarket gauges are NPT.  You can order it from any speed shop that stocks Autometer stuff.

[SQUIRREL MONSTER]

so as to not start a new thread....... what size adaptor do i need for my 22R??? i cant seem to find this exact answer.    please. or at least anyone know what part number i need? also im looking for one to do my oil pressure gauge too.

oh, and this is going to be for a set of electric gauges for my 84 4x

[WHITE_TRASH]

3/8" pipe threads are about perfect.  Thats a standard adapter in all the kits Ive used.

[BirdDog]

The sender is on the top of the thermostat right. If so Has anyone changed the location to the block somewhere. Is the sender being at the highest point in the system the best place for it. Just seems like a good place for air to get traped to me.

[robinhood4x4]

Does the factory sender tell the computer anything?  If so, your engine won't work right...maybe the computer will think the engine is running cold and will dump more fuel and cause it to run rich.  Isn't that the idea behind putting in a colder thermostat...to fool the computer into thinking it's running colder than it should so it uses more gas and therefore more power?