Temp gauge issues!?! Replacement options?

[ImplodedmindZ]

I am having a problem w/ my stock temp gauge reading alot higher than its suppose to. its reading almost 220 whereas the actual temp is only 180-185 w/ a 180 thermostat in it. It was checked w/ another gauge & IR gun. The sender that i got from the local parts store im not 100% sure if its working. Can anyone give me options for mounting an aftermarket more accurate gauge in the stock location. I dont like having gauges on the bottom of my dash. i think it looks tacky. Thanks for any help.

[p-townchris]

Got the same problem when I replaced the sending unit.freaked me out when I started the motor, had just replaced the heads, and the temp gauge went to 220! been to lazy to reinstall the old one.

Would try replacing with the old sending unit first. Probably have the wrong sending unit. And an after market should fit in the stock hole if there both the same size.

Chris

[V30_guthrie]

Hi,
My sending unit was acting up ( reading to Low )...awhile after I installed it it started going crazy.. Turns out it was the spade lug connector wsan't gripping the blade of the sender enough and was wiggling around from my truck bouncing around etc... Bend Female spade lug to be tighter on the Male and haven't had a problem since...

Good Luck,
Anthony

[ImplodedmindZ]

Thanks both of you, i dont have the stock sender anymore b/c well the truck was converter over to crappy autozone under dash gauges before i bought it so nothing was left sending unit wise. i just had to go to autozone & get one. Seeing as resistance is the enemy of a single wire electric gauge im thinking about tryin to solder all my connections to see if that helps & then try another sender. i dont want to go w/ aftermarket just yet, i like the look of stock gauges.

[cancritter]

camaro 350s run 220temp so its nothing to be overly worried about

[GreaseDog]

all of my 350s run 210-220 on a regular basis. as for checking your temp with an IR gun, you cannot accurately check the same area that you are checking with the temp sender, so the difference cannot be trusted as accurate.

[ImplodedmindZ]

I know its not running that hot tho. Installed another cheap gauge in the thermostat housing and it was running around 180.

[judd]

i would also like to find replacement gauges that will work in the stock location. my oil pressure gauge went out and i put a cheap mechenical gauge on but its just hanging over the brake master cylinder cause i dont want it screwed to the bottom of the dash either.

[lady3bglover]

After I added the 220/220 .581/.581 Comp cam my ride starting a little warmer than normal and I have the 160 Hypercrap Stat... I was told not to worry about it as well.

[V30_guthrie]

Hi,
Trust me...look @ Ebay and get a "factory" full gauge setup. That's what I did because I didn't wnat a bunch of CRAP hang ing off my steering column, A pillar and from under my dash. Got a unit off Ebay....These Chevy Eng.'s knew what they were doing...pull the old unit out...connect the new unit up, run the tach wire out and BOOM you have a facory full gauge setup...I even swapped the AMP gauge out, moved over the metal tabs in back of the housing and put in a Stock VOLT gauge.

IT IS PLUG & PLAY...it is scary easy.

I will take some pictures and post next week.

my $0.02 worth,
Anthony