My Locost has a 2.0 Pinto (not sure but either Cortina or Capri I think - 2.0 block not 205).

I have VDO gauges and am having an issue with the mismatch between engine temp sender and temp gauge.

I have fitted an adjustable thermostatic fan switch which has a sensor in the top hose of the radiator and I have set it to 90deg.

I gave the engine a longish run today for the first time to sort out leaks etc. The temp gauge ran up the scale within a few minutes and although the fan hadn't cut in the gauge carried on in to the red. I am assuming that as the fan switch didn't cut-in that the water was not up to 90deg as when I turned it down the fan came on at around 85deg. So what I need to do now is try and sort out the high reading from the temp gauge. I wonder if putting a high wattage resistor in-line would allow me to alter the reading? Also, can anyone tell me what the signs of an over-hot engine are just in case the fan switch is not telling me the truth

I have a running issue at tickover but I have a feeling that is more like a carb air leak or similar as it seems to be 'hunting'.

Thanks in advance.

JB

Get the correct temperature sender, you may need to fit into an adaptor in the by-pass hose.

Re hunting you are thinking on the right lines weak mixture (vacuum leak ?) or too much ignition advance (check the dizzie centrifugal advance has a tiny ammount of lubrication)

The sender is fitted in the block, the one in the top hose is for the fan switch. I am not sure what sender would suit the gauge and as far as I understood it, the only difference in senders was their range of resistance over the operating temps? That's why I thought I could use the fan switch as an indicator as to the water temp and then alter the gauge reading for the temp sender in the block by fitting a resistor inline?

Hi where did you get your adjustable switch, need one for mine ?

I got mine from CBS

VDO gauges will require a VDO sensor, they do make, at least, a couple of differing threads on these one is about 12 mil, and the other about 6 mil. I purchased mine from Merlin Motorsport. See bottom row on link. HTH Ray
Click me

[Edited on 20-8-11 by Chippy]

The standard pinto senders don't work on after market gauges, fords had a strange mix of old and new sender ranges, fuel senders work in revers etc, correct sender and make sure the sender earths through the block, some have used ptfe tape, have insulated the gauge from the block and get a max reading all the time.

Well I think I've sorted things a little. I think the hose from the oil breather on the side of the block to the inlet manifold was leaking, and as I will be fitting a catch tank I guess I will be blocking that off. The engine still runs a little rough over about 4300 revs (popping ocassionally) so not sure where to go with that?

I am wondering if it may be to do with running rich because I checked the plugs after about 10 mins running with revving up to around 3-4000 regularly and they were quite black (soot not oil). Not sure whether there is a jetting issue or some setting needed?

The other issue of the temp gauge reading high is sorted I think. I tried various resistors inline with the feed to the gauge and with the fan switch thermo cutting in at 90deg, I have put resistance in that gives me a reading between 1/2 and 2/3 and when the fan cuts out it drops to just above 1/2-way. So I think that should be OK. The resistors aren't getting warm so there is no issue there with rating either.

Any ideas on the rough/rich running appreciated guys