Temp sensor + heater fitting ideas

[mladen]

Today I received the T fitting for installing the temp sensor and heater hose barb. The hole in the manifold is 1/2 NPT, so that's the T I got (1 male, 2 female). I then had a bushing to go from 1/2 to 1/8 for the sensor and a 1/2 to 5/8 barb fitting. Well, then this happened

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The fitting can barely begin to rotate before hitting the intake. Does anyone have any elegant ideas for solving this, that aren't me buying umpteen fittings that stack and snake around until there is enough clearance? I saw something like this (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O0VIAM/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_4?smid=A1ZFE7OK40X5ZX&psc=1) but I'm sure if that clears the manifold it will not clear the distributor or the wires on the distributor

[Windsor]

I'm assuming that's a MFF t-fitting here: I think your best bet is to replace the MFF t-fitting with a FFF t-fitting and a MM nipple between the Tee and the manifold.

If your t-fitting is FFF, then just get a slightly longer MM nipple ("short pipe").

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'm assuming that's a MFF t-fitting here: I think your best bet is to replace the MFF t-fitting with a FFF t-fitting and a MM nipple between the Tee and the manifold.

If your t-fitting is FFF, then just get a slightly longer MM nipple ("short pipe").

Precisely! :)

Jeff

[Norm B]

If you prefer pictures then, a T like this and a fitting like this just long enough to get the clearance you need. Note, if your sensor is a single wire set up then do not use Teflon tape on the threads of the fittings.

HTH

Norm

[mladen]

Thank you all. I'll look for a new fitting.

The sensor has two wires, signal and ground I assume.

[Windsor]

Note, if your sensor is a single wire set up then do not use Teflon tape on the threads of the fittings.

I've read the same on the innerwebz quite a few times but it was never a first-hand account of someone actually having this problem. I've done it (used teflon tape on one-wire sensor pipe threads) in my care-free (careless?) youth and never had a problem where teflon was preventing the gauge from grounding.

You're better off using "pipe dope" thread sealant anyway, so there's that. :)

All that said, if you do use teflon tape and your sensor is one-wire and reading weird until you manually ground it, you have a chance to prove me wrong. ;)

[Mastertech5]

Or liquid Teflon paste in a tube

[Norm B]

It doesn’t matter because the OP has a 2 wire sender but my Classic Gauges instructions were pretty clear.

Norm

[mladen]

Just to close off the thread, I got this FFF tee fitting (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B006PKKP18?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details), and this nipple (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07VKJT7K6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) and it created enough clearance for the whole setup.

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I did end up backing it out 1/4 turn so the hose barb points between the alternator and valve cover so that I can route the hose along the outside of the bay. Hopefully, this doesn't create room for a leak. I don't think I could have tightened the whole thing one more full turn without potentially damaging the threads on the intake manifold. Remains to be seen if it'll leak.