Installing an aftermarket water temp guage (1 Viewer)

[cruisermantis]

I'm installing an aftermarket water temp guage in an '85 BJ70, and need to know if I'll need an adapter? Are the ports on the thermostat housing NPT?

Also, I notice there are three ports on the T-stat housing. The rearmost two are utilized. The front one is not. It's looks like about a 1/2" port, and is just below the top water hose (U.S. Drivers side of vehicle). Any reason not to utilize this port for this purpose?

Thanks
Reid

 

[fjbj40]

the port you are talking about , on the thermostat housing , is the one i used for my aftermarket mechanical temp gauge and it works just fine . you may have to do some grinding on the inside if the probe is to long , I had to , but it is a good spot. I put in an equis gauge (s) , water temp , volt and oil px. that I got from Walmart . $50.00 and came with all necessary adapters and back lighting. If I knew how to post pics I would .
hth , Daryl

 

[crushers]

works fine, i have used that port as well...
cheers

 

[cruisermantis]

Thanks, guys. I'll probably plan on that. Hopefully I won't have to remove material from the housing. So does anyone recall if it's NPT? Also, am I safe to assume that any contact between the probe and the metal of the t-stat housing would be unacceptable and give skewed readings?
Thanks
Reid