GMCforum
For enthusiast of the Classic GMC Motorhome built from 1973 to 1978. A web-based mirror of the GMCnet mailing list.

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor]
[GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200492] Sun, 03 March 2013 14:12 Go to next message
Patrick Flowers is currently offline  Patrick Flowers   United States
Messages: 195
Registered: February 2004
Karma: -24
Senior Member


---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: oil pan temp sensor
From: "Larry Coldren" <lcoldren@msn.com>
Date: Sun, March 3, 2013 3:13 pm
To: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am getting ready to rebuild my 455 and would like to put a temperature
sensor in oil pan.

What is the best location on the oil pan to locate the temperature sensor?



Larry Coldren

1974 Canyon Lands

Fort Collins, CO

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist




Patrick Flowers
GMCnet Listmaster
'73 CanyonLands
Tyrone, GA
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200495 is a reply to message #200492] Sun, 03 March 2013 15:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Both the Ragusa and the Rockwell pans have the sensor mounted on the front of the pan, about 1/2 way up. While you have the OEM pan off for the sensor mounting bung, you might consider also adding a bung to use as a drain for the transmission. Both the Rockwell and the Ragusa pan have drain plugs. Then you can use a drain plug with a high power magnet to catch any loose ferrous stuff floating in the fluid.
If you can wait until early this week, I'll measure exactly where the sensor tape is located on my uninstalled Rockwell pan. I'm about 1500 miles from coach right now.
Tom, MS II


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200497 is a reply to message #200495] Sun, 03 March 2013 15:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
emerystora is currently offline  emerystora   United States
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
Senior Member
He is looking for information on where to put the sensor in the oil pan, not the transmission pan.

Emery Stora

On Mar 3, 2013, at 2:22 PM, Thomas Phipps wrote:

>
>
> Both the Ragusa and the Rockwell pans have the sensor mounted on the front of the pan, about 1/2 way up. While you have the OEM pan off for the sensor mounting bung, you might consider also adding a bung to use as a drain for the transmission. Both the Rockwell and the Ragusa pan have drain plugs. Then you can use a drain plug with a high power magnet to catch any loose ferrous stuff floating in the fluid.
> If you can wait until early this week, I'll measure exactly where the sensor tape is located on my uninstalled Rockwell pan. I'm about 1500 miles from coach right now.
> Tom, MS II
> --
> 1975 GMC Avion, under forever re-construction
> Vicksburg, MS. 3.7 miles from I-20
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200499 is a reply to message #200497] Sun, 03 March 2013 15:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
Senior Member
I must learn to read more closely. Since I've been searching for the "right" temperature gauge and sensor for my un-installed transmission pan, my brain jumped ahead.
For oil temperature, I put a sensor in the oil filter adapter, and did not mess with the oil pan. There is a photo on the photo site of this type of installation.
Tom, MS II


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200500 is a reply to message #200497] Sun, 03 March 2013 15:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Emery,

Me too!

Actually I have a "T" fitting that will go into the stainless steel oil cooler lines. I have yet to decide whether to put it into
the line going to the oil cooler or the line coming from the oil cooler.

Thoughts / comments?

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Emery Stora

He is looking for information on where to put the sensor in the oil pan, not the transmission pan.

Emery Stora


_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200508 is a reply to message #200500] Sun, 03 March 2013 17:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kingsley Coach is currently offline  Kingsley Coach   United States
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
Senior Member
What about the drain plug.

If it doesn't work or develops a leak, you only have to replace the drain
plug. Drill and tap as required.
Just a thought.

Mike in NM

On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 5:52 PM, Robert Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:

> Emery,
>
> Me too!
>
> Actually I have a "T" fitting that will go into the stainless steel oil
> cooler lines. I have yet to decide whether to put it into
> the line going to the oil cooler or the line coming from the oil cooler.
>
> Thoughts / comments?
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Emery Stora
>
> He is looking for information on where to put the sensor in the oil pan,
> not the transmission pan.
>
> Emery Stora
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200509 is a reply to message #200508] Sun, 03 March 2013 17:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
WD0AFQ is currently offline  WD0AFQ   United States
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
Senior Member
Kingsley Coach wrote on Sun, 03 March 2013 17:35

What about the drain plug.

If it doesn't work or develops a leak, you only have to replace the drain
plug. Drill and tap as required.
Just a thought.

Mike in NM

On Sun, Mar 3, 2013 at 5:52 PM, Robert Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:

> Emery,
>
> Me too!
>
> Actually I have a "T" fitting that will go into the stainless steel oil
> cooler lines. I have yet to decide whether to put it into
> the line going to the oil cooler or the line coming from the oil cooler.
>
> Thoughts / comments?
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Emery Stora
>
> He is looking for information on where to put the sensor in the oil pan,
> not the transmission pan.
>
> Emery Stora
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist




That is a good thought Mike and you can buy one. I have one temporarily in the vdub drain plug. Works good. I plan to move it back to where I had it earlier though. Was just playing around to see if temp was different there than higher up. Nope. Make sure the sensor wire is tied up so it does not catch on a tall weed. My choice for the GMC is the cooler line though.
Dan


3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200525 is a reply to message #200492] Sun, 03 March 2013 20:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Craig Lechowicz is currently offline  Craig Lechowicz   United States
Messages: 541
Registered: October 2006
Location: Waterford, MI
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Rob,
I would think you would want the temperature sensor before the oil cooler, since you want to read the highest temp you can, so yo can worry more! On our old race car, it was in the remote oil filter adapter before the cooler. (course that was a dry sump system).


Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200537 is a reply to message #200500] Sun, 03 March 2013 23:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Emery Stora is currently offline  Emery Stora   United States
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 4
Senior Member
I would put it in the line going to the oil cooler if your objective is to worry about the temperature in the engine

I once monitored the temperature with a digipanel. I found out that it closely followed the coolant temperature. So I then decided that I didn't have to monitor it anymore.

Emery Stora


On Mar 3, 2013, at 2:52 PM, Robert Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au> wrote:

> Emery,
>
> Me too!
>
> Actually I have a "T" fitting that will go into the stainless steel oil cooler lines. I have yet to decide whether to put it into
> the line going to the oil cooler or the line coming from the oil cooler.
>
> Thoughts / comments?
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> Sydney, Australia
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Emery Stora
>
> He is looking for information on where to put the sensor in the oil pan, not the transmission pan.
>
> Emery Stora
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200539 is a reply to message #200537] Mon, 04 March 2013 03:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Craig / Emery,

The sensor goes in the line to the oil cooler and that's that!

Regards,
Rob M.

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200551 is a reply to message #200492] Mon, 04 March 2013 08:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
I wrote this as a quote to Patrick/Larry last night, but it must have been too late last night because it seems I forgot to post it.

After decades of adding instrumentation to engines, I will offer some opinions.

Maintenance of both the system and the sensor must be a consideration in the installation.

The best place is really in a modified drain plug, but in a vehicle, this will be very susceptible to damage by road debris.

In our coaches, and without any doubt, the best plan would be to install the sensor in the oil cooler adapter. That way, it can easily be serviced if it is required, it is well protected from road debris and no expensive or difficult to replace parts are at risk during the installation.

Another consideration, more for 403 than 455, is that this is the period that GM began using MPM pans. An MPM pan is Metal-Plastic-Metal laminate that many manufacturers started using to combat engine noise. These pans are very difficult to successfully weld a fitting for anything. They are best off if TIG welded inside the pan and they will still be prone to frequent cracking in the area of the weld.

An MPM pan can be identified by closely examining the sheered edge. This is where the layers of the laminate should be visible.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200580 is a reply to message #200551] Mon, 04 March 2013 12:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lcoldren is currently offline  lcoldren   United States
Messages: 28
Registered: March 2004
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Thanks for all your sage advice and input. In the past I have used a sensor
with a Tee fitting at the oil filter output to the oil cooler. I removed it
when I replaced the oil cooler lines. I then drilled out a drain plug and
threaded it to take the temp sensor. After a dry camping trip I noticed
weeds and a piece of plastic bag hanging from the sensor so I removed it as
I felt the risk of damage was too great. Both of these approaches works
well for obtaining engine oil temp. I did observe that the engine oil temp
and water temp track well except when the engine is under an extended heavy
load as an hour or so climbing a mountain.
As I said in my original message that I am rebuilding my spare 455 engine
and thought it might be an opportunity to put a bung for a sensor in the oil
pan. I wanted to know what position on the pan others might have placed
their oil temp sensor. After reading the responses I assume few have done
this. After reading Matt Colie's response below about MPM pan construction I
will go back to the oil cooler line sensor location and not put a hole in
the oil pan.

Thanks for being here to answer questions and happy GMC travels.

Larry Coldren
1974 Canyon Lands
Fort Collins, CO


Matt Colie wrote:

I wrote this as a quote to Patrick/Larry last night, but it must have been
too late last night because it seems I forgot to post it.

After decades of adding instrumentation to engines, I will offer some
opinions.

Maintenance of both the system and the sensor must be a consideration in the
installation.

The best place is really in a modified drain plug, but in a vehicle, this
will be very susceptible to damage by road debris.

In our coaches, and without any doubt, the best plan would be to install the
sensor in the oil cooler adapter. That way, it can easily be serviced if it
is required, it is well protected from road debris and no expensive or
difficult to replace parts are at risk during the installation.

Another consideration, more for 403 than 455, is that this is the period
that GM began using MPM pans. An MPM pan is Metal-Plastic-Metal laminate
that many manufacturers started using to combat engine noise. These pans
are very difficult to successfully weld a fitting for anything. They are
best off if TIG welded inside the pan and they will still be prone to
frequent cracking in the area of the weld.

An MPM pan can be identified by closely examining the sheered edge. This is
where the layers of the laminate should be visible.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie
'73 Glacier 23 Chaumière (say show-me-air) Just about as stock as you will
find SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #200620 is a reply to message #200492] Mon, 04 March 2013 18:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Craig Lechowicz is currently offline  Craig Lechowicz   United States
Messages: 541
Registered: October 2006
Location: Waterford, MI
Karma: 0
Senior Member
The other time (besides long extended heavy loads) when water temp and oil temp diverge is for about 2 minutes while a bearing is failing, usually followed by really expensive noises, if you missed the gauge reading change . . .

Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #201003 is a reply to message #200580] Fri, 08 March 2013 11:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
Senior Member
[quote title=lcoldren wrote on Mon, 04 March 2013 10:27]Thanks for all your sage advice and input. In the past I have used a sensor
with a Tee fitting at the oil filter output to the oil cooler. I removed it
when I replaced the oil cooler lines. I then drilled out a drain plug and
threaded it to take the temp sensor. After a dry camping trip I noticed
weeds and a piece of plastic bag hanging from the sensor so I removed it as
I felt the risk of damage was too great. Both of these approaches works
well for obtaining engine oil temp. I did observe that the engine oil temp
and water temp track well except when the engine is under an extended heavy
load as an hour or so climbing a mountain.
As I said in my original message that I am rebuilding my spare 455 engine
and thought it might be an opportunity to put a bung for a sensor in the oil
pan. I wanted to know what position on the pan others might have placed
their oil temp sensor. After reading the responses I assume few have done
this. After reading Matt Colie's response below about MPM pan construction I
will go back to the oil cooler line sensor location and not put a hole in
the oil pan.

Thanks for being here to answer questions and happy GMC travels.

Larry Coldren
1974 Canyon Lands
Fort Collins, CO


not to disagree with what others have suggested I put an 1/8" fitting on the side of my pan when I rebuilt my engine. The electric sender is quite small and doesn't get in the way. As far as oil temperature tracking water temperature you are correct it all depends.I just got home from 2 months on the road and climbing the Sierra Nevada Mountians with a Toyota Truck in tow and a heavy load of steel yard art and a tree stump my wife had to have when when I topped Dead Man and Conway summit on hwy 395 the Oil Temperature was 280 degrees and the water was 185 degrees. That was 2 nd gear with a 3:70 final and a 455 engine at 35-40 mph. I also have an Aluminum radiator with an Aux oil cooler & trans cooler the trans stayed cool as it was a little above freezing outside. I would also suggest that you add a 2nd oil drain to the pan while you have it out.


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #201036 is a reply to message #201003] Fri, 08 March 2013 16:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
G'day,

Here's a link that shows where to locate the second drain.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/member-galleries/p31708-oil-pan-drawing.html

I measured the amount that comes out of the front drain when I changed the oil in Double Trouble before left the USA last fall;
unfortunately I forgot to write it down and since I have CRS that info is LONG since forgotten! I do remember that it wasn't much.
KenH has some data somewhere.

BTW the oil pan for a Caddy 500 out of an Eldorado has the second drain from the factory.

Regards,
Rob M.

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] [Fwd: oil pan temp sensor] [message #201047 is a reply to message #201036] Fri, 08 March 2013 18:01 Go to previous message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3942-455-oil-pan-capacity.html

Ken H.


On Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 5:31 PM, Robert Mueller wrote:

> ...

I measured the amount that comes out of the front drain when I changed the
> oil in Double Trouble before left the USA last fall;
> unfortunately I forgot to write it down and since I have CRS that info is
> LONG since forgotten! I do remember that it wasn't much.
> KenH has some data somewhere.
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Previous Topic: [GMCnet] GMCMI 2013 Spring Convention Vendor List
Next Topic: Anybody From Washington State Going To Dothan Have Room For Cargo?
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Wed Oct 09 03:24:35 CDT 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.02576 seconds