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Author Topic: Installing an aftermarket temp. gauge in a 2.3L 1980 Pinto  (Read 3386 times)

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Offline MitchiePinto

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Installing an aftermarket temp. gauge in a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« on: September 04, 2012, 04:23:57 PM »
Bought a cheap Temp. gauge today. Instructions say to hook up to the stock sensor or to mount the brass sensor that came with it. Thing is where is the temperature sensor on this car? Its a 2.3L 140 1980 Pinto. I have seen on the motor on the drivers side two brass looking sensors one coming from the block that has a red wire running from it and one on the head that has a gas tube thing running from it. As far as I can see my car has no Temp gauge on the dash so if my car was overheating would a light pop up on the dash?

Offline Pinturbo75

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Re: Installing an aftermarket temp. gauge in a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2012, 06:12:42 PM »
there is the factory spot on the driver side below the head about 2/3s back on the block... it should have a single wire sensor there. or you could use the passenger side which should have a plug in it..... just above the pan rail in front of the starter...
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Offline r4pinto

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Re: Installing an aftermarket temp. gauge in a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2012, 07:20:12 PM »
the light marked "engine" is universal for both coolant & engine oil pressuren.
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
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Offline MitchiePinto

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Re: Installing an aftermarket temp. gauge in a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2012, 01:21:19 PM »
Thanks for the info guys, Im going to try to hook it up tonight im going to be using the factory spot

Offline MitchiePinto

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Re: Installing an aftermarket temp. gauge in a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2012, 03:03:21 PM »
UPDATE: I installed the temp gauge with no problem, Ive got power going to the gauge (it moves to max then back to zero when ignition is switched on). Just one thing its not giving me the reading of the temp it sits at zero. I wired the sensor wire from the gauge to the red wire coming from the brass block sensor on the lower drivers side, is power supose to be going to the factory sensor (+) or is it suppose to be gounded (-) thanks

Offline Scott Hamilton

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Re: Installing an aftermarket temp. gauge in a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2012, 03:10:37 PM »
Mitchie-
You will need to remove the stock sensor and replace it with the Brass one that came with the kit. The stock sensor just grounds the wire hooked it to at a certain temp=thus it's nickname, idiot light. If you want to use both you will need some adaptors- You can search on UK eBay for 2000cc and temp and you will see examples.

Others may have more insite- Hope this helps,
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Offline MitchiePinto

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Re: Installing an aftermarket temp. gauge in a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2012, 09:04:15 PM »
Ahh I see now thanks, What should I expect when removing the factory one oil, antifreeze etc.. Also looks like the head and rad get the hottest I wonder if I should install the sensor in a place that gets the most heat because the block only gets slight warm. Right now my car overheats and the "dummy light" (engine light) only comes on to let me know its overheating way to late like around 280 F