$6.00 Inline Trans temp gauge fitting at local hardware.

[dkosheba]

Fellow members,

Thanks for all your advise on installing gauges. I just installed my A-pillar pod mount and took your advise of an "in-line" install of Transmission temperature sensor instead of the welding of fitting to pan. I still welded 1/8" NPT to pan, but on bottom for purpose of draining it.

Now, Instead of the $29 fitting from Jannetty which I have never seen, or purchasing a new 95' line from *******, I measured my aluminum line at .500" diameter and then went down to the local hardware and bought a 1/2" compression ring Tee for $6. Same at what you would use for Propane copper tubing connections.

I then took the Tee and opened up the I.D. on sensor leg a little and tapped the leg for 1/4" NPT in the I.D. and used the 1/4" to 1/8" adapter supplied with the Autometer gauge. As I had a compression nut left over, I put it over the pipe adapter and tightened it down before I added the 1/8" NPT temp probe. As I did not have a 1/4" NPT tap, I invested an additional $5.49 at NAPA to own one.

Now onto lessons learned. I measured the shouldered distance in the Tee to be precisely 1.15" so I took tubing cutter and removed exactly that and installed tee into the pre cooler line removed from truck. Not thinking I put compression rings on tube, and firmly held tubing into fitting, bottomed on shoulder in vise while tightening compression nuts. And happily reinstalled on truck. Big mistake and even bigger LEAK .

I learned from experience that you cannot bottom tube in fitting as it does not allow proper compression of ring on both seats. As tubing cutter could not remove about .050" from end next to the compressed ring, I resorted to cutting with hack saw using reverse strokes, and then knife to clean up any burs left behind. Put Tee back on tubes, and now NO LEAKS. My advise is to bottom the tubing and get fitting snug, and then pull the tube out of fitting about .040" or 1mm before final compression takes place.

I only write this as I would like other TDR members to save a little cash for the more important things in life and not make the mistakes I have made. I value your support. Thanks again.

Don
Airtabs Online


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Please refrain from the generic use of the word, "*******" on the TDR website. Feel free, however, to post specific details about good - as well as bad - experiences with any dealership.

Robin
TDR Admin