Tapping tranny pan for temp sensor

[pigracing]

I'v been running around with a temp sensor mounted in a remote filter for awhile and want to move it down into the pan itself.
I have this TCI pan but I'm a little hesitant about tapping it myself and ruining it so my question is: is it as simple as drilling out the right size hole and threading a tap through it?
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/tci-518000_w.jpg

It says it's aluminum but it seems pretty thick.

[Chasespeed]

In short yes... I will rely further in a few....

Chase

EDIT:

Okay, how thick is the material where you would like to drill and tap?

If its pipe thread...you will need a decent amount of material...maybe even a bulkhead fitting....

[pigracing]

Well it's on the vehicle right now so I'm not 100% sure but going off of memory (and it's been awhile) i'd say 3/8".

When you say pipe thread are your talking like fine thread as apposed to course?

[Chasespeed]

Pipe thread is different than EITHER fine or coarse....

Its a interference thread..... .the tighter you make it, the more interference... thus, little to no leak....

Regular thread, fine coarse, emtric etc, will allow some fluid/air/gas etc to pass through... the pipe thread basically slowly works its way from coarse to fine....

3/8ths thick, I am really not too sure there... I would need to know the actualy7 size of the whole an thread needing to be dealt with, to know safe threads per inch.....

Chase

[pigracing]

Gotcha.

So wouldn't I just match the thread and size of the temp sensor itself?

[locopny]

When you say pipe thread are your talking like fine thread as apposed to course?


Pipe thead is different...NPT. not coarse or fine.

[Yikes]

If it's 3/8" thick, 1/4 NPT will be fine, because there is no load/pressure; however, 1/8 NPT would be ideal.

[toddz69]

Gotcha.

So wouldn't I just match the thread and size of the temp sensor itself?

The temp sensor fitting really needs something to seat against for it to seal correctly. I'd do as others have recommended and drill/tap the pan to accept a pipe thread adapter that threads into the pan and then thread the sensor/fitting into that. I've done it two ways. On my old C4 pan, there was a thick part of the pan casting that was thick enough for fitting threads. On my current 700R4 pan, it was too thin according to my machinist (maybe 1/4"? thick) so I got an aluminum bung fitting from Ron Davis Radiators and had it TIG'd in. I threaded my pipe thread adapter into that and then threaded the temp sensor into that. Teflon tape on all the threads. Doesn't leak a drop.

Todd Z.

[pigracing]

The temp sensor fitting really needs something to seat against for it to seal correctly. I'd do as others have recommended and drill/tap the pan to accept a pipe thread adapter that threads into the pan and then thread the sensor/fitting into that. I've done it two ways. On my old C4 pan, there was a thick part of the pan casting that was thick enough for fitting threads. On my current 700R4 pan, it was too thin according to my machinist (maybe 1/4"? thick) so I got an aluminum bung fitting from Ron Davis Radiators and had it TIG'd in. I threaded my pipe thread adapter into that and then threaded the temp sensor into that. Teflon tape on all the threads. Doesn't leak a drop.

Todd Z.

Cool. I didn't think the sensor itself had this pipe thread which was what was confusing me. So my next question is anybody know where I can pick up an adapter? Also are these adapters refered to as a "bung"? Just want to make sure I get the right terminalogy and all.

[chupakabras]

what transmission do you have on your b2, a c5 85?, we bought a c4 for our chupakabras but end up been a 82 c5, so, just curius..

[pigracing]

what transmission do you have on your b2, a c5 85?, we bought a c4 for our chupakabras but end up been a 82 c5, so, just curius..

Yeah it's a C5. Technically for an 85 Bronco II but it was just a remanufactured unit from Kragen when I bought it!! Didn't have the cash for a super-wazoo built unit:p

[chupakabras]

Yeah it's a C5. Technically for an 85 Bronco II but it was just a remanufactured unit from Kragen when I bought it!! Didn't have the cash for a super-wazoo built unit:p

thats cool, have you install any godies to your tranny? we are going to install a full manual reverse pattern valve body, a c servo, etc etc, we found here at tijuana a good mechanich for the tranny, so, that's our plan, we don't want to ran again with a manual tranny, so,.

[pigracing]

Not yet. I kind of plan on just running this one aslong as I can as is. I would like to eventually go with a manual valve body and any other little tricks I can afford though. I'm also interested in maybe playing around with the torque convertor.

[chupakabras]

Not yet. I kind of plan on just running this one aslong as I can as is. I would like to eventually go with a manual valve body and any other little tricks I can afford though. I'm also interested in maybe playing around with the torque convertor.

ok ok, we are new with this kind of tranny, we are gona end up with what you have already, a 92 4.0 ohv, some day update to the 97 4.0soch, 82 c5 with all the godies, 92 bw manual 1354,, etc, btw, how's your tranny doing? you have it stock right now, right?

ps, do you know what torque converter do you have, and what flywheel, from wich truck, i mean, from what brand or model, year etc your flywheel and torque converter is, to know what fits on the the tranny, we have the tranny but dont have the torque c. and flywheel, so,

[pigracing]

Yeah it's all stock other than the deeper pan and an external filter. This is where the temp sensor is currently.

I haven't had any problems thus far other than my starter binds up from time to time. However, dispight having done the swap a long time ago I only have about 3 desert trips on it. The rest is all street.
I have heard of others running the c5 hard with out problems though.

[pigracing]

Both the flywheel and the torque convertor are for an 84 bronco II.
Also make sure you get that little thin peice of metel that get's sandwiched between the tranny and the engine block. I don't have it on mine and I have heard that is why I have problems with my starter jamming up on me now and then.

[chupakabras]

Yeah it's all stock other than the deeper pan and an external filter. This is where the temp sensor is currently.

I haven't had any problems thus far other than my starter binds up from time to time. However, dispight having done the swap a long time ago I only have about 3 desert trips on it. The rest is all street.
I have heard of others running the c5 hard with out problems though.

have heard the same, also that the c5 can be build as strong as a c4, they use almost the same internal parts, can be build to hold a 500hp engine , haha, we just want it to hold for our 155hp, haha, right, thks for your response, now i know who else have a c5, thks again.. :D

[pigracing]

Not a problem. Good to be able to help for once. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[chupakabras]

Not a problem. Good to be able to help for once. Let me know if you have any other questions.

for sure that i will, once we start to work again on our chupakabras, been very busy these days, hope next week we will star to take apart our chupakabras.. so, thks a lot man,. see yahh.

[toddz69]

Cool. I didn't think the sensor itself had this pipe thread which was what was confusing me. So my next question is anybody know where I can pick up an adapter? Also are these adapters refered to as a "bung"? Just want to make sure I get the right terminalogy and all.

The sensor itself doesn't have a pipe thread on it (at least mine doesn't - mechanical Autometer unit). I couldn't tell you exactly what type it is - seems to have regular SAE threads on it. I think the adapter for mine either came with the gauge or I got it at the local speed shop. I guess you could call it a bung but I'd more likely refer to a fitting or piece that's fitted to the tranny pan itself as the bung.

Todd Z.

[pigracing]

The sensor itself doesn't have a pipe thread on it (at least mine doesn't - mechanical Autometer unit). I couldn't tell you exactly what type it is - seems to have regular SAE threads on it. I think the adapter for mine either came with the gauge or I got it at the local speed shop. I guess you could call it a bung but I'd more likely refer to a fitting or piece that's fitted to the tranny pan itself as the bung.

Todd Z.

I agree - the sensors I have look to have regular threads.
Well I'm in no hurry to do this but i'll keep my eye open for these fitting. Maybe JBA would have some and there nearby.
thanks for the info.