VDO cylinder head temp gauge

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Bard Beach
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Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2017 11:39 pm

VDO cylinder head temp gauge

Post by Bard Beach »

Picked up this temp gauge. The idea is to install it on cylinder 4 of my 63 Monza. (Engine is 64)
The thermocouple goes in under a spark plug. I've read that some corvair owners have this installed and are happy with it.
My question is about how the thermocouple routes back out through the shroud.
Has anyone installed one for these? How does it go through the spark plug wire boot?

http://www.discountegauges.com/cyl-head ... p-127.html


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wbabst
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Re: VDO cylinder head temp gauge

Post by wbabst »

Bard, I have installed this gauge on my 63, now moved to my 61. The gauge looks a little different but is a VDO Cylinder Head Temp Gauge. Some people complain that it is not temperature compensated, but I don't figure it's too much of a big deal. It gives you a good idea of where you are day to day. My runs between 325 and 350 day to day, and is a nice back up for the idiot light.

To run the thermocouple out, I notched the sparkplug boot hole and then used a grommet with a 1/8" hole to run the thermocouple through the notch and then put the boot back in the spark plug hole. The grommet seals the notch nicely, protects the couple wire, and lets the wire out next to the spark plug boot. I ran the wire back to the car under the belly zip tying it to the main harness along the way an then up into the dash.
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Bard Beach
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Re: VDO cylinder head temp gauge

Post by Bard Beach »

Thanks for the help! Got the thermocouple installed but now need to figure out the wiring to the dash. Thought it might be possible without getting the car up on jack stands, but will do that step a little later


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bbodie52
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Re: VDO cylinder head temp gauge

Post by bbodie52 »

You will find some schematic wiring diagrams using the following link…

CORVAIR COMBINED WIRING SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS
:link: viewtopic.php?f=225&t=12968

The fuel gauge is wired to a switched junction point that provides it with power when the key is turned on. If you locate that power wire behind the instrument panel it would likely be a good location to tap for instrument power to your cylinder head temperature gauge. Make sure that the gauge is properly grounded. You will still probably have to get under of the car to route the thermocouple sensor wire from the engine compartment to the instrument panel location.
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dave t
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Re: VDO cylinder head temp gauge

Post by dave t »

I installed my VD O thermocouple at the threaded hole on the left head where the thermister goes on a 140 or turbo. I believe I used a short 3/8-18 bolt (might be a different size) and two washers. Drilled a hole in the rear shroud and used a grommet under the oil cooler just like the 140 & turbo thermostat wire. Routed the wires along with the engine harness to the dash. Tested it using an infrared thermometer. It displays about 3 degrees cold. I then cut the wires and installed.a plug by the firewall engine harness plug for service later. Tested again and got the same readings.
I figure most gauges are not 100%. I know what my standard temp should be on the gauge. If it climbs, I will know things are getting hot.

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