Where can I get a new temperature sensor. Mine has two connections. How does the sensor work ? Is the sensor itself the ground ? I cleaned the inside of my engine with lemon acid - it worked perfect , took off all the dirt and chalk. Where are the water drain screws located on a 401 engine block ? The weather is getting hotter and hotter here in the black forest , so I hope to go for the first ride soon. Thank you nailheads from around the world for your help - Herby
I think the block drain is on the drivers side of the block towards the front but that's a hazy memory rather than absolute knowledge. The Temperature sender is 1 leg for the "Hot" light and the other for the "Cold" light which both ground through the sender. As to where to get one... I don't know in Germany, parts houses have them in the US or can special order them.
In the '63 and later nails(at least) there are two drains-one on each side near the middle of the block. Those 'idiot light' temp senders generally are set to trip the light around 250 degrees F. I think too hot and too late. I'd get that sender outta there and gauge it so you can see exactly where your temp is at and see a heating trend before you get into bigger trouble-good luck
Mine tripped at around 235-240ºF last year on powertour according to the Autometer gauge plumbed into the same port in the back of the drivers head. It was slow going up a dirt hill with my friend guiding my undercarriage around rocks and roots at a campsite after running in the heat for 3 days so I was low on coolant. This year I have an expansion chamber to catch the coolant and put it back into circulation when it cools down.
I agree with Dan, Guage it and forget the light. back in the day we routinely put guages in cars of people who were smart enough to know not to stake the cost of an engine on a 20 cent light bulb. Aguage will warn you a long time before the situation gets critical. What I do is put an over size rad. and then the veh. usually runs right on the thermostat. if the temp starts climbing above the thermostat very much ,I start hunting up what is wrong with the system.
Ok - thanks for your answers. The thing is : I agree to add a temperature gauge , I will put the sender for that in an aluminium adapter in one of the radiator hoses. I just will have thouse original warning lights to work. Just because I love original old stuff. Now I found at Napa Autostore a temperature sender unit , but here is the next proplem. They just have one with a 1/2" thread , but in my driversside head is a 1" thread ( and so it is on my sending unit too of course) . Where can I get one of thouse original temperature sending units? I also would like to put a used one in , if it works. I do not whant to install a adapter for putting the Napa one in. Maybe someone can help me with that new problem again. 401 Nailhead Oli from the Black Forest
Herby: Is this what you are looking for? It was made by "Guaranteed Parts Company" in Seneca Falls, NY. Part # is TSU-42 if you want to try to find it locally. I will sell you this one for $20USD + shipping. Shipping overseas is a pain but if you can't find it I will ship it. I have not tested it. It is in the original box. Rick
send me your adress and i will send you mine,it came out of my 401 7 years ago,when i installed a temp gauge. I don't know if it's still working.
