Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

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Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Quarterwave
Hi everyone,

I have an aftermarket 4-core radiator and the temp gauge is not working (it was before the change).

What color wire do I need to be looking for in the engine bay so that I can find the temp sender?

1985 Ford F150, 2WD.
351 H.O Windsor, aluminum heads
Cam: Lift = .496''/.520'' Duration @ .050: 224°/234°
C6 Transmission
6" Rough Country Lift
33x12.5x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains
15x10" Pro Comp Rims
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
This post was updated on .
Coolant sender for a 351 H.O. should be a red/white wire.

I'm getting this from the '86 EVTM here:  http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1986-evtm.html
(FUEL TANK SELECTOR/GAUGES-----F150-350 7.5L & 5.8L 4V engine)

But Ford was good about keeping their harness colors the same across a wide range.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Rembrant
In reply to this post by Quarterwave
Quarterwave wrote
What color wire do I need to be looking for in the engine bay so that I can find the temp sender?
Hey Quarter,

The temp sender is right behind the distributor, with one wire going to it. (My '84 302 appears to be a red wire...not sure if it's striped or not...I couldn't see it well with only one coffee in me...lol).



PS: If by chance you find that the sender is bad, they are still available directly from Ford. I bought one this past winter but haven't installed it yet. I have an aftermarket sender in there now but it doesn't read properly.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
This post was updated on .
If you need to go to an auto parts store, be sure you get a -sender- not a sensor.
There is a difference!
Sender is for the gauge, sensor is for the computer's cold engine indication. (I know you don't have one)
I've never hooked them both up to meters and brought them to a boil, so I don't know their full resistance ranges.

I'm sure Gary has a Ford p/n for the sender, but I'm on a phone, and although I DO have the HiPo MPC on CD I don't have a way to read it right now.  
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
In reply to this post by Rembrant
Cory,

If you have time, could you picture the end of the box with the part numbers clearly visible?

Thanks, Jim
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Rembrant
ArdWrknTrk wrote
Cory,

If you have time, could you picture the end of the box with the part numbers clearly visible?

Thanks, Jim
Yes, no problem, but it won't be until tonight when I get back home.

The aftermarket sender I installed works, it's just that the scaling seems to be a bit off. The gauge now reads higher than it is supposed to. I would have re-installed my original sender, but I sold my carb/intake and the sender went with it. I bought the new Ford sender hoping it provides a better range for the gauge...but I haven't gotten around to installing it yet. Dealing with 3400 lbs of rust has put things like temp gauge senders at the bottom of my priority list...lol.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk
ArdWrknTrk wrote
I'm sure Gary has a Ford p/n for the sender...
From Electrical/Sending Units and the Coolant tab:


Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
And this is indicative of *how much* of this site I still need to learn.  
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
'Tis easy for me - I put it there.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

85lebaront2
Administrator
I have never checked the resistance on the gauge sender, but as far as the EFI sensor, I believe I sent Gary that information along with the values for the other sensors TPS, EVP etc.
Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
Bill,

It's likely that the gauge range is similar or same as the other gauges, like fuel.
So perhaps the sender range is 10-65(?)
I forget, because I have the Bricknose gauges.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Should be 10 to 72.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
The more I learn....

So, same for fuel and temp?
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yes, same resistance range for fuel, water temp, and oil pressure.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

85lebaront2
Administrator
Yes, and the gauge system on the Bullnose goes clear back into the 40s when they were 6 volt systems.
Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Rembrant
In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk
ArdWrknTrk wrote
If you have time, could you picture the end of the box with the part numbers clearly visible?
Here we go. Still available from your local Ford dealer. I ordered this one last fall I believe, but haven't gotten around to installing it yet (truck hasn't been running in 8 months). I have a new aftermarket one installed currently, and it works, it just seems that the scale is off slightly...as in the gauge reads on the hotter side of the range all the time when the actual engine temp is just normal...like 195F. I am hoping the Ford sender fixes that for me.







1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
This post was updated on .
Funny, the van diesel has a different part number.
Must be a really tight fit in there.

**** Note the green insulator, as mentioned in the parts listing****
Anyway Motorcraft parts ftw!

(Yes, autocorrect DID try to trip me up with Vin Diesel!  )
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Quarterwave
In reply to this post by Rembrant
You guys are awesome, thanks!
1985 Ford F150, 2WD.
351 H.O Windsor, aluminum heads
Cam: Lift = .496''/.520'' Duration @ .050: 224°/234°
C6 Transmission
6" Rough Country Lift
33x12.5x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains
15x10" Pro Comp Rims
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

Quarterwave
What sealant should I use on the threads (if any)?
1985 Ford F150, 2WD.
351 H.O Windsor, aluminum heads
Cam: Lift = .496''/.520'' Duration @ .050: 224°/234°
C6 Transmission
6" Rough Country Lift
33x12.5x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains
15x10" Pro Comp Rims
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Re: Temp Gauge - What Color Wire in Engine Bay?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
Orange sealant is already applied!

The sender works by grounding to the engine, you don't want it insulated with Teflon tape or silicone
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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