coolant temp gauge with ls swap

turbotankshane · 10-30-2019, 03:29 PM

I searched but didn't find much in the way of definitive answers.

1990 volvo 240, has a 4.8/4l60e combo, everything works but the coolant temp gauge. I had thought I could just use a stock volvo sender but it seems the thread pitch is off, I found one thread saying that I could use a jeep sender but its a two wire sensor and I believe the original sender for the gauge is a one wire sender.

I know I'm supposed to just pull the spare cooling port plug from the passenger head, but from what I can see it is a m12x1.5 thread and the volvo sender is m14x1.5.

Can someone confirm or deny my findings?

VB242 · 10-31-2019, 07:22 PM

I'm no LS expert but what about tapping that hole for the Volvo sender?

culberro · 10-31-2019, 07:29 PM

https://www.stsmachininginc.com/coll...ge-temp-sensor

JohnMc · 10-31-2019, 07:50 PM

I'd have gotten one of those if I knew they existed. /\ /\ /\

What I did was get one of those radiator hose sender adapters and drilled and retapped it to fit the Volvo sender.

You can kind of see it here. I didn't bother to find properly fitting hoses with the right bends and lengths and diameters, I used silicone elbows and aluminum pipe to make up the cooling system connections, so I would have needed something there anyhow.

Minglor · 11-01-2019, 02:51 PM

I usually just drill/tap them right into the water pump by the outlet
The F-body one is easier as it has a nice flat spot on the top that works.
For the truck pump, put it close to the outlet neck or it'll hit internally with the length of the Volvo sensor

turbotankshane · 11-02-2019, 09:36 AM

Thanks guys, probably gonna use the volvo sensor and an adapter, i can get both for about $19 through the local parts store.

Minglor · 11-02-2019, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbotankshane

Thanks guys, probably gonna use the volvo sensor and an adapter, i can get both for about $19 through the local parts store.

Curious what you ended up using to adapt it

lummert · 11-02-2019, 06:03 PM

The temp gauge sender threads are 5/8x18 UNF. So locate an adapter to fit LS threads. Such as male 1/2 inch NPT to Female 5/8 inch-18 thread. Plug in the proper LS thread size for adapter.

Minglor · 11-02-2019, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lummert

The temp gauge sender threads are 5/8x18 UNF. So locate an adapter to fit LS threads. Such as male 1/2 inch NPT to Female 5/8 inch-18 thread. Plug in the proper LS thread size for adapter.

Which is why I asked what was used.
I wasn't able to find something to adapt it to the m12x1.5 for the head.
A certain vendor sells a modified sender as well

VB242 · 11-06-2019, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minglor

Which is why I asked what was used.
I wasn't able to find something to adapt it to the m12x1.5 for the head.
A certain vendor sells a modified sender as well

For my K-jet 160 to MS head, I tapped the head for 1/2" npt and tapped a 1/2npt x1/4npt brass bushing to the M12 1.5

Texas240 · 11-09-2019, 03:07 PM

This isn't ****ing rocking science. Find a vdo one wire temp sender that comes close to matching the ohm range of the stock sender with the same thread pitch and stick it in there. If you aren't happy where the needle sits on the gauge stick a low value resistor in line or something of that. Spending $60 for a sender that is 1/3 the actual cost is just plain stupid.

cosbySweater · 11-09-2019, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas240

This isn't ****ing rocking science. Find a vdo one wire temp sender that comes close to matching the ohm range of the stock sender with the same thread pitch and stick it in there. If you aren't happy where the needle sits on the gauge stick a low value resistor in line or something of that. Spending $60 for a sender that is 1/3 the actual cost is just plain stupid.

Well considering it requires 0 modification to install and it is a plug in solution it isn't a bad deal.

Lord_Athlon · 11-09-2019, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas240

This isn't ****ing rocking science. Find a vdo one wire temp sender that comes close to matching the ohm range of the stock sender with the same thread pitch and stick it in there. If you aren't happy where the needle sits on the gauge stick a low value resistor in line or something of that. Spending $60 for a sender that is 1/3 the actual cost is just plain stupid.

Considering your entitled smarmy attitude and the fact that it took you this long, maybe you should have just ponied up for that adapter, ehh Aaron?

Texas240 · 11-09-2019, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_Athlon

Considering your entitled smarmy attitude and the fact that it took you this long, maybe you should have just ponied up for that adapter, ehh Aaron?

5 years ago when I did my swap and STS wasn't offering these and it took me 5 minutes to screw a vdo sensor into the passenger port and add a resister in wasn't the hardest thing in the world to do since these are sold out. It's a super easy alternative that's a 3rd the cost. Just making a clear alternative.

Lord_Athlon · 11-10-2019, 02:37 AM

You've paid someone else to do the rest, why cheap out now?

cosbySweater · 11-10-2019, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas240

5 years ago when I did my swap and STS wasn't offering these and it took me 5 minutes to screw a vdo sensor into the passenger port and add a resister in wasn't the hardest thing in the world to do since these are sold out. It's a super easy alternative that's a 3rd the cost. Just making a clear alternative.

Well then why don't you provide a partnumber or link instead of talking ****. Wanna help right? There's your chance

240wagonguy · 11-10-2019, 02:27 PM

the sender is brass, you can do it with a flat file, drill, and the correct size die. Chuck up the sender in the drill, and turn it down on the file until it's the right size. Then run the die down it, bam done. Takes 5 mins because it's soft metal. For bonus points I bought the correct size copper washers on ebay to seal it to the head.

Texas240 · 11-10-2019, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_Athlon

You've paid someone else to do the rest, why cheap out now?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosbySweater

Well then why don't you provide a partnumber or link instead of talking ****. Wanna help right? There's your chance

Trying to find the receipt for the sender. Its buried deep some where. When I do find it I will provide.

Texas240 · 11-10-2019, 10:45 PM

VDO 323-092 300F/150C M12x1.5 Spade Link

I used a 10ohm 1/4watt resister inline with the sensor wire to gauge to get the needle to be slightly above middle where the 5.3 runs almost light stock where a red block would sit when cruising.

lummert · 11-13-2019, 03:51 PM

Doesn't the LH 2.2 coolant temp sensor use the same resistance range as the gauge sender. This sensor already uses M12 threads.

10-30-2019, 03:29 PM	#1
turbotankshane Board Member Join Date: Aug 2010	coolant temp gauge with ls swap I searched but didn't find much in the way of definitive answers. 1990 volvo 240, has a 4.8/4l60e combo, everything works but the coolant temp gauge. I had thought I could just use a stock volvo sender but it seems the thread pitch is off, I found one thread saying that I could use a jeep sender but its a two wire sensor and I believe the original sender for the gauge is a one wire sender. I know I'm supposed to just pull the spare cooling port plug from the passenger head, but from what I can see it is a m12x1.5 thread and the volvo sender is m14x1.5. Can someone confirm or deny my findings?

10-31-2019, 07:22 PM	#2
VB242 I.M. Weasel Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Driving the No Malarkey Bus	I'm no LS expert but what about tapping that hole for the Volvo sender? __________________ Living life one day at a time. Stopping to smell the oil slick beneath my Volvos.

10-31-2019, 07:29 PM	#3
culberro Ronald Culberbone III Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Redmond, OR	https://www.stsmachininginc.com/coll...ge-temp-sensor __________________ Cult Person. Pissing in your Kool-Aid. Head work: https://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=349975 Temp Sender Adapters: https://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=348169

10-31-2019, 07:50 PM	#4
JohnMc PV Abuser Join Date: May 2004 Location: St. Louis	I'd have gotten one of those if I knew they existed. /\ /\ /\ What I did was get one of those radiator hose sender adapters and drilled and retapped it to fit the Volvo sender. You can kind of see it here. I didn't bother to find properly fitting hoses with the right bends and lengths and diameters, I used silicone elbows and aluminum pipe to make up the cooling system connections, so I would have needed something there anyhow. __________________ '63 PV Rat Rod '93 245 16VT Classic #1141

11-02-2019, 06:03 PM	#8
lummert Board Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland IN	The temp gauge sender threads are 5/8x18 UNF. So locate an adapter to fit LS threads. Such as male 1/2 inch NPT to Female 5/8 inch-18 thread. Plug in the proper LS thread size for adapter. __________________ Trying to understand stupid people is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. Last edited by lummert; 11-02-2019 at 06:11 PM..

11-01-2019, 02:51 PM	#5
Minglor Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006	I usually just drill/tap them right into the water pump by the outlet The F-body one is easier as it has a nice flat spot on the top that works. For the truck pump, put it close to the outlet neck or it'll hit internally with the length of the Volvo sensor

11-02-2019, 09:36 AM	#6
turbotankshane Board Member Join Date: Aug 2010	Thanks guys, probably gonna use the volvo sensor and an adapter, i can get both for about $19 through the local parts store.

11-09-2019, 03:07 PM	#11
Texas240 Prius Owner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dallas, TX	This isn't ****ing rocking science. Find a vdo one wire temp sender that comes close to matching the ohm range of the stock sender with the same thread pitch and stick it in there. If you aren't happy where the needle sits on the gauge stick a low value resistor in line or something of that. Spending $60 for a sender that is 1/3 the actual cost is just plain stupid. __________________ 93 245 LS Engine Swap GONEProject 79 242GT 2016 LT, Mustang II front end, 2001 C5 Rear assembly

11-10-2019, 02:37 AM	#15
Lord_Athlon 300+ Clurb Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eau Claire, WI.	You've paid someone else to do the rest, why cheap out now?

11-10-2019, 02:27 PM	#17
240wagonguy Board Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Weare, NH	the sender is brass, you can do it with a flat file, drill, and the correct size die. Chuck up the sender in the drill, and turn it down on the file until it's the right size. Then run the die down it, bam done. Takes 5 mins because it's soft metal. For bonus points I bought the correct size copper washers on ebay to seal it to the head. __________________ 1985 740GLE sedan winter beater Cali car.

11-10-2019, 10:45 PM	#19
Texas240 Prius Owner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dallas, TX	VDO 323-092 300F/150C M12x1.5 Spade Link I used a 10ohm 1/4watt resister inline with the sensor wire to gauge to get the needle to be slightly above middle where the 5.3 runs almost light stock where a red block would sit when cruising.

11-13-2019, 03:51 PM	#20
lummert Board Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland IN	Doesn't the LH 2.2 coolant temp sensor use the same resistance range as the gauge sender. This sensor already uses M12 threads.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode