Temp sender for a 322 Nailhead?

Discussion in 'Classic Buicks' started by V8PunkRocket, Jun 20, 2008.

  1. V8PunkRocket

    V8PunkRocket Well-Known Member

    Hey gang,

    I have been trying to find a temp sender for my 56 Special. I found the area that I think the sending unit goes - towards the back of the driver's side cylinder head. (I think that because there is a large threaded hole there with nothing in it.)

    I don't have a shop manual yet, but I plan to get one. In the meantime, I haven't really been able to dig up any info on these temp senders, or even somebody who sells them. Is it a weird senderr or something? I'd like to hook up and use my original temp gauge, as I really like the look of a bone stock interior.

    So, does anyone know a vendor that might sell these? Or something I can use in place of it that will allow me to use the stock gauge?

    Thanks in advance, as always.
     
  2. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    The sender as your calling it is all part of the gauge. What has happened is all the ether has come out of the "Bulb" that goes into the head/block. The whole gauge has to come out as it is all one part. If you do a search on temp. gauge repair there are various sites that can walk you through the rebuild process or you can send it out to have rebuilt. You have to be extremely careful once it gets repaired as if you bend the "Wire" too much it will cause the ether to leak out.
     
  3. V8PunkRocket

    V8PunkRocket Well-Known Member

    Wow, never come across one like this before.

    I went and pulled my instrument cluster - it was in the back seat. Turns out, the sender "bulb" and accompanying wire/tube is still attached to the gauge. I would assume that the ether that was in the tube is gone, so I will have to look into a rebuild.

    But, if I were to expose the bulb of the sensor to a heat source, would it move the gauge if it were working? Or would I need to connect a voltage to the gauge as well? I'm new to the world of mechanical temp gauges, so pardon my sophomoric questions.

    Thanks so much for the info so far, TelRiv.
     
  4. CaptainSkol

    CaptainSkol Well-Known Member

    Yes.

    There is nothing electric on this temp gauge.
     
  5. V8PunkRocket

    V8PunkRocket Well-Known Member

    Thanks! I'll give it a shot tomorrow.
     
  6. V8PunkRocket

    V8PunkRocket Well-Known Member

    By some bizzare miracle, the temp gauge still works! Who would have thought. Thanks again for the information, you guys are great.
     

Share This Page