Calibrate water temp gauge?

[TimeLimitHit]

So I installed a 6.0 into my 93 2door yukon and am finishing up all the little things. I got the three terminal coolant temp sensor and it appears my dash isn't calibrated for the new sensor, at 198 degrees on the scan tool my dash reads about 150. So I am wondering if i were to connect a potentiometer to the temp gauge wire and ground, could i "turn up" my gauge to match the pcm reading?

[RUFFNECK]

Im not sure friend. I can tell you even with my 2001 stock reads way off than what my Scan Gauge II reads. I dont trust the factory gauges.

[flattopwill]

If you are using the new LS violent temp sending unit to feed your old gauge then that's probably why it's off. Use your TBI sending into the passenger side head and that should work.

[TimeLimitHit]

yeah i am using the purple one, the three wire in the ls conversion parts list. i wanted to use my original sender but going from 5/8" to 12mm requires a cumbersome adapter and by the time the sensor is in it hits the firewall. i could 90 it off but i dont think that would give me an accurate reading being that the probe is not in the head. its ok though, i have gotten use to where the temp reads now. but thanks, guys!

[flattopwill]

yeah i am using the purple one, the three wire in the ls conversion parts list. i wanted to use my original sender but going from 5/8" to 12mm requires a cumbersome adapter and by the time the sensor is in it hits the firewall. i could 90 it off but i dont think that would give me an accurate reading being that the probe is not in the head. its ok though, i have gotten use to where the temp reads now. but thanks, guys!

Hmm. Im using an adapter for mine and it doesnt get close to the firewall.

[beertestr]

I chucked mine up in the lathe and whittled it down to a M12. It's soft brass so it goes pretty easy. I put a little thread sealant to compensate for the lack of the o-ring/washer. Fits fine. I did this to an old sensor, I am going to do it to a new sensor tonight, and wire it up.

FYI, it's not a 5/8's thread, it's 3/8 NPT on the stock sender. I have some adapters from Parker I am not going to end up using if anybody is interested in them.

Also, I agree with the stock gauges not reading very well. I use them for reference i.e. I know what the gauge says when all is normal (regardless of what the actual reading is), then use that to see if temps are out of the ordinary.

[TimeLimitHit]

no mine is a 5/8" its enormous. the one in the intake may be 3/8" but the one that was in the side of the head is 5/8". I tried several different things, tapping the head is not an option, some auto fan relays are coming in the mail soon it wont be an issue.

[6stringer]

just get a aeroforce and call it a day, take advantage or ur new obdII and get dont even bother looking at the factory cluster

[TimeLimitHit]

I'll leave my scanner plugged in and bolt it to the dash before wasting $250 on a gauge.

[beertestr]

no mine is a 5/8" its enormous. the one in the intake may be 3/8" but the one that was in the side of the head is 5/8". I tried several different things, tapping the head is not an option, some auto fan relays are coming in the mail soon it wont be an issue.

it's 5/8" diameter, but I tell ya, it's 3/8-18 NPT. It's goofy sounding I know, but I pulled the print (got a contact at GM) for the sender it says 3/8 NPT. I got an adapter from the Parker store, it's 3/8 NPT. Look up specs for a 3/8 NPT, here's a good reference. It's 0.675 (slightly larger than 5/8").. in diameter, no idea why that's called 3/8 NPT, but it is.

http://www.fairburyfastener.com/xdims_pipe_threads.htm

I'll leave my scanner plugged in and bolt it to the dash before wasting $250 on a gauge.

LOL.. I am doing the same thing with my TechII until I get the wiring worked out.