I have a newly rebuilt 1976 F100 with a 360 engine that just got rebuilt. My mechanic that did it was a real but about doing stuff and didnt do all the things that he said he was going to do. Anyways my temperature gauge on my dash does not work and I would like it to. The oil pressure gauge works well and everything else minus the fuel gauge (thats a differemt more severe job). I just want it to work and work right but I dont even know where to start. Im learning on the job on how to work on vehicles...im a house flipper/carpenter/teacher by trade so I can figure most everything out just need help going in the right direction. Thanks in advance

 

Ground the sensor wire to the intake, the gauge should peg HOT. If it does you need a new sensor.

If it doesn't move at all you need to start tracing the wire back looking for chafing or a break.

Josh

 

I don't even know where the sensor is. Basics my man basics.

 

About the middle of the intake right behind the distributor. Just one wire goes to it.

Josh

 

I found it. The wire goes to the distributer...what do I do to figure this out? Do i get another wire and touch it to it or what?

 

The water temp sensor doesn't go to the distributor. It's just wrapped in the same harness.

It's an OEM connector, right? Looks like and "L"? Ground it to the block with either alligator clips, a section of wire, or unfold a paper clip and use it as a bridge. Have a helper observe the temp gauge while ya ground it.

 

Just behind the hole where the distributor goes through is the sensor. It should be a hex shape (for a socket) and have a small stem sticking up.

Sorry for the bad pic, only one I could fine quickly...


EDIT - Found another pic.

 

Found it and it for somereason has started to work and work well now...dont know what I did and thanks for all the help everyone

 

Our trucks need a wiggle, jiggle once and a while to keep em running... LOL