Topic: What is the correct location for the temp sender on a 72 350?
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Carson City, NV - USA
Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239
Vette(s): Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior
Just curious, but the PO has the temp sender installed in the drivers head rather than the intake. Now if I recall, the temp reading at either head will be higher as its the hotter coolant prior to entering the radiator vs. the front of the intake manifold (where every chevy and Moapr V8 I've ever owned has its sender). I think, the intake is getting freshly cooled coolant out of the radiator and this is the temp you see on your gauge. so where is the stock location for the sender? Intake or head?
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Single wire temp sensor for the gauge is in the ds head. If equipped with the Transmission Controlled Spark(TCS) system, there will be two wire temp sensor in the ps head. LATE model, ECM cars have a temp sensor in the thermostat housing, or the front intake area. 
Joel Adams
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Former Member
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Carson City, NV - USA
Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239
Vette(s): Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior
well that settles that. I was hoping the PO had moved it. The engine runs hot. Its new and still tight but shouldn't be running at 190-215 when its 50 out.
My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Welcome to Sharkville, Dave....
Since these cars are chin breathers, they tend to run a wee bit hotter than nose breathers. Make sure all of the seals are in place around the radiator, and shroud(you do have a shroud, don't you?). Make sure the radiator and A/C condenser(if equipped) are clean. Check to see if the air dam is in place, and not damaged. Check the fan clutch to see if it is weak. If any one of these things are not right, the engine will run warmer than "normal". Frankly, 190-200 isn't out of the question at idle.
Joel Adams
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Could also be the thermostat or timing. You can advance the timing on these cars a lot more than the old factory setting. Mine 72 LT-1 is set at 17BTDC.
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Carson City, NV - USA
Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239
Vette(s): Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior
Ok good stuff to look at. I can tell you this, its a new brass core rad with new pump, fan clutch and a 160 thermostat. Which is too cold. There is a shroud but the shroud is sitting behind the rad without any kind of seals between it and anything. No seals to the rad core, no seals to the mounting points. I was wondering about that and thought about making a better shroud...but maybe I'm missing some efficiency by not having the seals. A pic of a properly sealed shroud would be just perfect...if anyone can provide? 
I'll have to check the timing when it warms up enough to fire the engine....still hibernating in our below freezing fall.
Thanks,
Dave
I'll have to check the timing when it warms up enough to fire the engine....still hibernating in our below freezing fall.
Thanks,
Dave
My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?
Former Member
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Carson City, NV - USA
Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239
Vette(s): Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior
Bingo....no air dam. Had to look at them on ebay to figure out what should have been under there. Bingo again, no seals around the shroud to radiator. I have the steel shroud. I do have the seal from the underside of the hood to the top of the core support. Looking at Eklers I only see 2 seals for the shroud to rad. Does this sound correct?
Also, are there any seals around the radiator to core support or something other than the shroud?
Thanks,
Dave
Also, are there any seals around the radiator to core support or something other than the shroud?
Thanks,
Dave
My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?
Hi,
Looks like you have got the correct advice and for what it's worth my base engine '72 350 has the temp sender on the drivers side cylinder head although I notice that there is a plug in the right side head in the same location...not sure what that's for.!!!
I had my original engine fully re-built about 300 miles ago and it still runs nice and cool, about 150+[also run a 180 degree thermostat and had the radiator removed and cleaned out]
John.
HighDesertDave said: ... The engine runs hot. Its new and still tight but shouldn't be running at 190-215 when its 50 out.
With a 160 degree thermostat there is definitely something not doing its job, especially with the outside ambient temp at 50. All of the seals around the radiator and shroud will help some as will the chin spoiler. With a new radiator I'm going to assume the hoses are either new or in good shape. What shape is the water pump in? Swapping in a high flow pump would help the circulation rate some.
Jim Olson 
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in Forum: C3 Engines
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