another question regarding spi

[speedy]

I changed my dash recently to center clock gauges....Speedo, oil and water temp.
I haven't connected the water temp sensor yet, it's to go under the manifold and that's why it's not done yet.

I'm just wondering as the new Tim sensor has it's own probe/cable, will this effect the ecu (or anything else) in any way as the cables Going to the old sensor will not be used any more.

Hope somebody can clarify...

[woody]

On injected cars the temp sensor feeds the ecu ( proberbly a 5volt signal) and the ecu feeds the temp gauge (10 volts regulated). without a temp signal the ecu won't know if the engine is hot or cold.

[DOUGAL]

Leave the original system alone . The Spi has no hole in the block at front for temp sender .
What u went to do is get a thermostat housing with a threaded hole to take a sender and
connect new gauge to it .

[speedy]

Much much appreciated folks...thanks for advice.
just have to order myself a thermostat housing now


Speedy

[woody]

Good luck with the stat housing. Very rear item.

[speedy]

It's a mechanical Tim temp sender...diameter is about 15mm with threads.

I've checked miniatures and minisport, can't seem to find a housing with that side hole.
They have 8/10/12 but no 15...or 5/8s....they do have a sandwich plate with blank on it maybe I could get it taped.

Anybody know were I could get my hands on a housing??

[woody]

I had same problem when I fitted an MPi engine with a carb. The housing is no longer available new , they pop up on ebay sometimes.

[mgb1978]

Got one on Ebay once from an Austin A35 !!!!
Fitted it to a carbed SPi and works fine.

Other options would be the in-line senders, where you cut a water hose and the sender is fitted between the cut hoses (Ebay)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S4-Universal- ... 27ce45e011
....or there is a sender that is very thin and pushed into one of the water hoses before you tighten the jubilee clip (also Ebay).
I don't know if these will work with a standard Mini (or Tim) Temp gauge though.

[speedy]

Had a look on Ebay...no joy at the minute with thermostat housing.
might just see if I could get the sandwich plate tapped 5/8 to take the sender.

The hose adaptors on Ebay have smaller holes in them for the sender.

I was hoping this would be an easy fix!

[mgb1978]

The SPi should have the casting blank where the sender was fitted on earlier cars.
Not a massive job to whip off the head and have it drilled and tapped to suit your new sender.

[speedy]

After a few journeys...
Murray motorsport in Walkinstown do the water hose adaptors with temp sender take off if anybody is interested for future reference, save you going to Ebay. 19/20 euro. I couldn't use it because the sender I have was too long, would suit an electrical sender.

have a guy tapping the head, using the casting blank as advised by mg....cheers mg