I am getting ready to install my temp sending unit from the Autometer gage this weekend. Does the sending unit just screw into the hole in the side of the new hy-tec pan or is there an adaptor needed. Also the mag-hytec manual states to put LPS all purpose antiseize on the sender threads. Is this a better way to seal the threads rather than using teaflon tape? Sorry for all the dumb questions.

Thanks
Frank

 

Yes the sender will fit without a adaptor. You can use a gasket sealer on the threds instead.

 

Teflon tape is great for plumbing but not in vehicles. It doesn't take well to petro products or high temps. What's worse is if you ever have to remove a fitting you are left with tape debris that is hard to remove without contaminating the system. It's especially bad to use on the filtered side of a fuel system for this reason.
Permatex #2 available from any auto parts has never failed me for an automotive thread sealer. Anti-seize works good too.

 

Putting the sensor in the tranny pan will not give you a true reading of fluid temps
The fluid in the pan is a mix of cooled and hot fuild, to get a true reading the sensor should be in the tranny out line to the cooler this contains the hottest fuilds
You will need to adjust the max temp to allow if you install the sensor in the pan....many people do install the sensor in the pan....but IMHO I want to know how hot the fuilds get not guess at it thats why I installed my sensor in the tranny out line

 

I'm with Pappyman on this one. I realize it's much easier to put it in the pan and having it in the pan is better than nothing. However, you would be surprised at how the fluid temp fluctuates depending on how hard the tranny is working. Seeing the temp of the fluid as it comes out of the tranny gives you time to adjust your driving technique before you overheat the entire unit. (At least that's the way I look at it)
I wish I had the port in the pan just so I could temporarily run a separate gauge there to compare the differences in temps while towing. It would make an interesting test to gather some factual data to be able to post here. Maybe even include the temps that you get when you install the sender in the servo-port as I have read some folks doing. I feel like this is the last option I would use, due to the possibility of the sender restricting fluid flow inside the tranny.(However I have read where folks have done it and reported no problems.)
I have mine in the line coming out of the trans, which I installed a "T" block using compression fittings for less than $10.00 from NAPA. It's been that way for over two years with NO problems what so ever. Just my $.02

 

Do you mind expanding on what fittings you used (pictures would be superb too )

All I have heard about using is some $$$ aftermarket line with a fitting plumbed into it...

 

I do have the part numbers from the NAPA invoice. I had to get three pieces.

* One "T" block ................................... NAPA # 3700 X 6
** Two Compression Fittings ................NAPA # 68 X 8

-->The "T" block has 3 female npt holes.
-->The compression fittings are npt threads on one end (screws into T) and the compression fitting on the other. The only thing I didn't have to get was a sleeve to adapt the 1/8" npt threaded temp sender into the "T" block because I had one already that came with the gauges. Total cost was $9.76 (not counting the cost of the gauge)

I've been meaning to take some pics of the location of the sender and now that I have access to a digital camera, I will. Give me a chance to get some taken and I'll try to post them in my Gallery later today or tomorrow. Right now the wife has my truck and I just finished up the graveyard shift this morning at 0800. I'm off the next few days and I'll try to get them done.

 

That would be AWESOME Dennis!

I have the gauge ready in the pillar pod, was just waiting to do the sending unit, and this will finish me up!

 

Sorry the pic is not that good. I had planned on getting some shots from under the truck, but it's been raining here all day. This is a view from the top side where the lines go up to the heat exchanger. The "T" is in the hot line coming from the tranny just before it goes into the heat exchanger.

Didn't realize it was so dirty under there! I'll try to clean it up a bit when we get some decent weather and take some better pics.

 

Curiously, while talking to someone at an unamed tranny shhop about this, I was told I should be measuring the tranny temp in the pan. I can't imagine why, even though I was talking to an experienced tranny technician. Hi explaination was I didn't get an "overall" reflection of the tranny temp being in the hot line. Common sense says to me I shouldn't care about anything except the hottest part of the tranny.
All the stuff you guys explain here makes sense, and is born true on my gauge, installed in the same place as Rattlinram's. I see the tranny temp hit 200+ in traffic when waiting at lights, or in traffic where I can't get up anough speed to lock the TC. Once I get on open road, the tranny temp drops rapidly to 150-160. (When the tranny controller was on there, locking the TC at 35 mph, I had to power-brake it to get the tranny temp over 180)

I can't imagine getting that much accuracy/response installing the temp gauge anywhere else.

Chris