temperature sending unit

[CAE79]

I have a 1985 Ford Bronco 351. I was just wondering where the temperature sending unit is located on the engine. I found the temperature control switch thinking that that was the sending unit. Any suggestions would be extremely helpful. Thanks.

 

[Seabronc]

I have a 1985 Ford Bronco 351. I was just wondering where the temperature sending unit is located on the engine. I found the temperature control switch thinking that that was the sending unit. Any suggestions would be extremely helpful. Thanks.

The temperature sending unit is located just to the right of the distributor when viewed from the front of the truck. It has one wire atached to it.

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[CAE79]

I thought that was the temperature switch? How do you know if the temperature sending unit is bad? or gauge? What is the difference between the temperature switch and sending unit?

 

[Seabronc]

I thought that was the temperature switch? How do you know if the temperature sending unit is bad? or gauge? What is the difference between the temperature switch and sending unit?

Never heard of a temperature switch on a 351. The sending unit is a variable resistor and changes resistance as the temperature changes. A switch would turn off and on at a set temperature to control something like a fan. You might want to take it out and clean the threds. Do not put teflon tape on it, it needs to make contact with the intake manafold to get a reliable reading. The threads are designed to seal as it is tightened. There should also be a ground lead from the back of the intake manafold to the fire wall.

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[CAE79]

I did put teflon tape on it because I was told to. Do I need to take it back out and clean the tape off? Would it make a big difference between teflon tape and not having teflon tape?

 

[Seabronc]

I did put teflon tape on it because I was told to. Do I need to take it back out and clean the tape off? Would it make a big difference between teflon tape and not having teflon tape?

Yes, take the teflon tape off. Yes, it could make a difference. Like I said it is a variable resistor and needs the thread contact for the ground side of the connection. It may be making contact thru the teflon if a thread cut thru it but it is not a reliable connection.

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[firelt90bronco]

Did it work better before the teflon tape?

 

[CAE79]

There was teflon tape on it when I took it off the first time. Somebody had put it on there the first time.

 

[firelt90bronco]

Well, I have never been a fan of teflon tape, try running it without it, don't go far from home just in case.

 

[CAE79]

It was the teflon tape. Thanks alot for your help.

 

[firelt90bronco]

Haha, even my generally non descriptive answers help people.

 

[edrandolph]

hello guys new to the forum, need a little help. ? is where on a 1986 5.0 ltr engine is the temperature sensor located?