Oil Temp sensor location for 3.6 conversion

[billjam]

I have been looking for a place to mount the oil temp sensor in a 3.6 (going into a 3.2). In another thread I posted a month or so ago, I picked up a couple of suggestions that would require remote mount in one of the oil lines, but I figured it was easier to mount it in the top breather cover (at red arrow - blue arrow is where it was originally).
I have since realised that in this location, the sensor is not actually immersed in oil, so the validity of its readings could be a bit sus.
Looking around the engine, I can see that the location of the sensor on a 3.2 engine is just a plain undrilled boss on the 3.6 (red arrow).
This location, in the end of the oil gallery is where the sensor was mounted on all pre-3.6 engines, seems to be the most logical place.

Question is ... has anyone else mounted their temp sensor for a 3.6 here?
Can I expect any surprises?
Drilling and tapping the hole isn't an issue as the engine isn't assembled yet.

[billjam]

Bump for comments.

[proffighter]

Look where I mounted oil pressure switch and sensor for gauge. One of these would be fine for your sensor too:

[uwanna]

Billjam,
I'm the guy who told you that I used a modified steel oil return line with a threaded fitting below the oil cooler. 18 yrs ago, I wrestled with your dilema, and my solution was the only one I could come up with.
I think your idea of drilling out and threading the boss on the case would be the ideal solution. If it indeed works! Will be watching your thread to see the outcome.
Good luck!!!

Grant

[billjam]

Roland,
It's a bit hard to see what you have done there, but it looks like you have fitted the pressure sender into the top of the thermostat and the temp sensor is in the fitting that takes oil to the turbo.
That makes sense because the end of pressure sender doesn't protrude past the thread, whereas the temp sender has a probe about 1" long.
However, I'd prefer to leave my pressure sender where it is in the pic below because it has the same thread as the case (M18 I think). The temp sender is more like M14. I will have a look at the thermostat tonight to see if there is space to mount the temp sender in the thermostat without its probe interfering with the guts of the thermostat. If this looks viable, drilling and tapping the top of thermostat will be easier than drilling the oil gallery in the case.

I also just realised that I referred to a pic in my original post and then left it out. May as well add it here.

[uwanna]

Don't think you will find enough space in the thermostat for the temp sensor. I looked into that solution when I did mine years ago and determined it was a no go. (it drove me crazy that I couldn't find an easy solution for this sensor dilema!)
I still think drilling out the boss where the sensor used to be on a 3.2 motor makes the most sense. After all the 3.6 case is just an evolution from the 3.2 case, and the oil gallery should still be there. It seems that the temp sensor is designed to be in a "continuous flow" stream of oil. That's why I put mine in the oil return tube. Albeit the oil temp in the return tube is a bit ccoler than in the case, but with the rapid turnover of oil in these motors, I don't think it is appreciably different.
If you can make the "boss" drilling work, it will encourage me to tackle it when I next pull my motor. I'm staying tuned in!!

[arrivederci]

There has to be a good reason that you don't run the factory piece (C in your other thread) that replaces the thermostat plug on a 3.6L. Are you mounting an oil cooler on the engine?

[billjam]

That's right Josh. When theromstat (D) is used, that real handy piece (C) gets chucked.
I was originally planning to fit temp sender at the red circle, but changed plans when I realised it wasn't immersed in oil.

[proffighter]

Bill

You're right, there might be not enough space. I forgot, because I haven't the thermostat there anymore...

The other cover (C) looks like a good solution