I have been thinking about adding a temp sensor to my 04 sp400.I have the whole gauge kit new in package sitting around,was wondering if I could add a small piece of steel pipe in one of the rad hoses instead of tapping the thermostat housing.Better to screw up a 2 dollar piece of pipe than the housing.If so does it matter what hose,upper or lower.And anyone know the I.D. of the hoses?

 

didnt get any replies about this one,hmmm not even OPT.
Idi see a video on youtube,the guy did the same thing as I was asking about,looks good to me,the guy in video kept his as close to thermostat housing as he could,i guess for a more accurate reading.

 

Best I can remember it's about a 1" to 1 1/4" od with a 3/4" id. If in doubt just remove the hose and and see where you stand on whether you have to modify the temp gauge fitting to work.

 

thanks OPT.I figured I could just buy a 3/4 gal.tee at hardward store,and match up a bushing to accept the sensor,should be pretty standard sizes,then just clamp both ends of rad hose to nipples threaded into the tee,seems like a pretty straight forward plumbing job to me.would keeping it as close to thermostat as possible help with a more accurate reading on the guage,and do you happen to remeber the operating temps for 04 400 sp

 

Fan off at 165 degrees. Fan on at 185 degrees. Every machine will vary,but between 140-160 degrees should be an average.

 

Thanks for the input once again OPT,now I just have to decide its it worth it to do the mod,seems practical to me,and a pretty cool weekend project to get me out of the house