leper

I have read about people who put a temp sender in the output line of the 518 transmissions and I am wondering how to do this. I have a Westach 1/8 sender for the gauge I already have, but I don't care if I have to buy another. What I really want to know is what the switch that is there now, does. Also, what adapters will I need to do this.
TIA
Leper

rockjeep73

On my brothers truck we just removed the factory sensor and put the one in from his auto meter gauge. I believe the threads in the cooler line are 3/8npt so you will have to reduce it down. You will have to leave the factory sensor plugged into the facory wiring and zip tie it under the truck. If you unplug it you will have no overdrive. I belive that is the function of the factory sensor, if the trans fluid gets too hot it kicks out of overdrive.

Boatnik

The factory switch disengages the overdrive at 280 degrees. I cut the 1/2 inch tubing and sliced in a branch tee that was compression fittings on the run and a 1/4 inch pipe on the branch. This gave me both the automatic protection and a place for the gauge sensor. If it is still there, I put a picture in my gallery. CAUTION, I was (I thought) very careful when I cut the tubing at not getting foriegn material in my system. Well, I wasn't as careful as I had thought. When we pulled the pan to do the valve body I found filings in the pan. They were obviously from the hack saw. Use a tubing cutter or better yet. Take the line off thetruck and blow it out.

leper

So, as I see it, if I put the temp sensor in the OD overide spot all I have to do is keep an eye on the temps. That is why I am installing the gauge, so I should be ok. Thanks guys.

PS So all I need is a 3/8 npt to 1/8 npt reducer? The sensor will be deep enough into the line to work properly?

Boatnik

As long as the tip of the bulb is seeing the hot fluid you should be OK. I have never seen mine go over 260 with the stock converter, and 230 with the DTT converter. I pull a 7200 pound fishing rig.

Micaiahfied

leper, if the gauge probe is too long take a look in my gallery at the autometer spacer, that's what i used so that the mech temp sensor did not impede the flow of trans fluid in the lines.

leper

Thanks, I was worried about it being too short.

91.5CTDBanks

I put a brass tee into the factory sender spot and then put the factory sender on one end and the autometer sender on the other.

leper

A tee seems like the best way to do it, thanks.

kjewer1

Looking at that stock sensor last night, it appears to be 1/4" NPT actually. Can anyone confirm?