can i use the Auto Meter sending unit for my stock gauge also or do i need a "T" connection to use both of them?

 

You'll need a "t" which doesn't work so well really with temp sensors since it kind of takes them away from the actual flowing hot water.

Even if the sensors were compatible, you can't simply use one sensor with two gauges because both gauges source a "bias" or "excitation" current to the sensor and with both gauges it would throw the reading off.

 

would my computer throw CEL codes if i just took out the stock sensor and put in the aftermarket sensor? would my check gauge light come on?

 

Check gauge light, yes. Throw a CEL, I don't think so.

 

well i may just have to remove the bulb for the check gauge light....lol.....since i am going to all aftermarket gauges soon anyways, i wont need it....

 

There are TWO water temperature sensors. One for the gauge, and one for the PCM. If you disconnect the one for the PCM you WILL have problems -- it's essential.

 

so i will have to leave the sender at the engine so i can leave the one for the PCM hooked up or is it attached to something else?

 

on my 4.0 I was gonna put in a tee. The problem is the stock sensor didn't screw in. It is pushed in with an o ring and held in with a clip. I just drilled a new hole next to the two stock sensors. I didn't have a tap large enough for the adapter in the gauge. I used a dremel to enlarge the hole. Since it was plastic I used the adapter as a tap and used some rtv silicone to help seal it. It's held up for a couple of months now.

The whole plate that I did this on came out of the engine so it was not very complicated to do it. As stated, this is a 4.0 SOHC.

 

never thought of that.

i measure the outbound temp of the radiator.you will know if the efan stopped from readings there fast then in the same place as the stock guage.

 

Nothing brilliant on my part. The Ford Racing Mechanical gauge won't reach the radiator. It's all integrated into the gauge. You can't make it longer.

The install is nice though. All tucked in and basically invisible.

 

the area were the sender on my 4.0 OHV i believe is aluminium.........hopefully mine is screwed in so i can just screw it in....

 

not sure about your 4.0L, but on my 2.3L, the hose that returns the coolant to the radiator is connected to a steel tube that goes over the manifold. I welded a bung into this steel pipe and installed the autometer sending unit. It reads the same as when I had it in place of the factory sending unit. I couldn't stand looking at the factory guage just laying there dead.