Adding an oil temp sensor

[willtel]

I'm planning to add a digital oil temperature gauge to my car and I need opinions on how and where to mount the actual sensor. Any ideas on where to place this thing so it will be submerged in oil? The car is an '87 and still on CIS. I daily drive my car in Atlanta heat so I just want to keep an eye on things during low airflow situations.

Here is a picture of the actual sensor I need to mount. I don't have the thread size on hand but is is pretty small.

[JFairman]

The least intrusive would be to drill and tap the oil drain plug for the engine case and install it there. It won't get in the way of a 15mm box end wrench when removing the drain plug when draining the oil.

It's real easy to get rid of it if down the road if you change your mind that way.

[willtel]

Originally Posted by JFairman

The least intrusive would be to drill and tap the oil drain plug for the engine case and install it there. It won't get in the way of a 15mm box end wrench when removing the drain plug when draining the oil.

It's real easy to get rid of it if down the road if you change your mind that way.

Wow, it is always the simple stuff that eludes me. That is a good idea, I may lose the magnet on the drain plug in the process but that is the only downside I can think of. Thanks for the suggestion.

[TimT]

If you have updated chain tensioners, you probably have a a threaded boss in the chain cover..

I put the oil temp sensor for my EFI in that location...the sensor is always being sprayed with hot oil from the chain..

The drain plug would work, but I dont like the idea of having a wire down there...Also in this location you will never have to touch it again

[DonE]

Interesting place to put a sensor. My luck, something coming up from the road (since it sits inches from it anyway) would rip the wires right out of it and damage the sensor....

[DonE]

Originally Posted by TimT

If you have updated chain tensioners, you probably have a a threaded boss in the chain cover..

I put the oil temp sensor for my EFI in that location...the sensor is always being sprayed with hot oil from the chain..

The drain plug would work, but I dont like the idea of having a wire down there...Also in this location you will never have to touch it again

When I used this location with my TEC3, I never got reliable readings. I also didn't like the idea of oil spray on the sensor - I wanted the sensor "in" the oil to get an accurate reading.

[A930Rocket]

Could you fab something at the oil temp sending unit/turbo banjo bolt fitting? Maybe "T" a fitting in?