I have done this 3 times and never cracked the casting. A bit of heat may help, but be careful. I have removed it installed on the engine and installed in a vice. I prefer the vice as it is less likely to cause damage such as you are worried about.
proper 4 point socket works the best ...
take the thermostat housing off, stick in kitchen sink in hot water when wife isn't home, while still warm remove plug.
For engineers measuring data with accuracy and precision doesn't cause stress. However for the uninformed and misinformed stress and confusion is fairly common as we've seen many time on this forum.
I have found out that the tread size and pitch for the puperglow port and temp port is 12x1.5 Hard to find a gauge and fitting or adapter to fit. Still not able to get the large bud nut out. I was a fool and ended up rounding it off due to not using a bud nut socket on it. So I'll be looking for another t-stat housing if I cant get a gauge that fits the 12mm thread, because I want a gauge in that bud nut port. I could use the superglow port as I have a complete custom GP setup in place
I am wanting to add a water temp sensor as well.
Mechanical or electronic? Any pictures of sensors installed on the 3B would be much appreciated. 1/2 npt plug in the head or the t-stat housing best for location?
Looking to go with Isspro so everything matches, need to see if they have a fitting...
J
I used the 1/2"BSP plug port on forward right side of head. Got a 1/2" to 3/8" reducer and used Auberins 3/8" NPT oil/water temp sensor with digital gauge which can display F or C temp. Was easy install because engine was out of truck and power steering pump bracket which surrounds plug was removed. My engine is a 13B-T.
I ended up cracking the lower t-stat houseing where it bolts to the front of the cylinder head as I put a breaker bar on my 8 pt socket trying to remove that square plug. And didn't even get the plug out.
Now Im in need of the 85 lower t-stat housing that I know is going to be tough to find. I hope 4wheelauto has one.
Back to the subject, how about using the port on top left of the water pump? The plug came out nice and it accepted a M16x1.5 fitting I had. Anyone use it before? I appologize in advance if I have missed it somewhere among the threads.
This is what I have done on my BJ42 and my BJ70. The temps gauge kit came with several adapter ... including the one I needed (bought at Canadian Tire).
That is just what I will do then if I can get the same gauge. What brand was it?
Anyways, I sourced out and bought a lower t-stat housing from 4wheelauto in Edmonton. Including the gasket. I'd rather not talk about how much it was, but I got it haha
I suspect that all standard temperature gauge kit have the correct adapter, and I suspect also that you can only find the correct adapter in a gauge kit. The adaptor is made from a specefic way that the prope ''seal'' the adapter when you srew in it. I try to get one adapter in a hydrolic store without succes.
I have recently bought a Autometer kit and the adapter was in the kit. Any kit in Canadian Tire have this specific adapter. Go there, ask to open a kit and see by yourself.
The Isspro mechanical water temp gauge comes with the 1/2npt fitting for the thermostat housing as pictured by David. Threads right in and probe does not touch anything.
