Oil Temperatures

[vette427sbc]

After putting in my oil temp gauge, I noticed the oil temperature seemed a little colder than it should be when driving around town. Under normal driving, it would stay at around 110*-120* and If I pushed the car hard, it would hit 140*-150* briefly, then cool down back to 120* or so. Shouldnt oil temps be around boiling temperature to burn off any moisture? Even if it doesnt hit the ideal boiling temp, wouldnt it be a similar temperature to the water (consistent 195*)?
The gauge is an electrical AutoMeter, and the temp sender is in a T-fitting on the back of the block with the pressure sender. I run 10/40 oil, and have 15psi at idle, and more than 10psi per 1000RPM when the motor is warmed up. No oil cooler, stock pan, and exterior temps were about 35*-40*
Any ideas as to what might cause this?
**All temperatures are in Fahrenheit FYI

 

[SmokinBBC]

My oil temps at the pan is about 220 when measured with a temp gun at the bottom of the pan(not the most ideal way to measure). Your temp gauge is messed up?

 

[vette427sbc]

Thats what Im thinking, but its brand new (doesnt necessarily mean that it cant be broken though). Theres no chance that the oil actually is running at that temperature, right?
I am not looking forward to pulling that gauge cluster out again :suicide:

 

[MYBAD79]

Auto Meter is usually good quality stuff but of course it is possible that the gauge is be defective. Before pulling the gauge cluster I'd swap the temp sensor - that's accessible without disassembling half the interior....
These sensors are $12 or so and if it's not the problem return it - most parts stores are pretty good about returns....

 

[Twin_Turbo]

I'm not sure I'm reading it right but is your temp sender on a dead head connection? You want a temp sender to be located in a section where oil flows past, in a dead head it will read too low.

 

[vette427sbc]

I'm not sure I'm reading it right but is your temp sender on a dead head connection? You want a temp sender to be located in a section where oil flows past, in a dead head it will read too low.

Yes it is on a dead head connection. This seems like the most reasonable explanation for my low readings. Besides welding a bung on the oil pan, are there any other locations that I could put this sender?

P.S. Marck- Did your friend get the gauge I sent him ok?

 

[redvetracr]

the most accurate place to mount your oil temp sender is in the oil pan...

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Yea, we got the amp gauge, thanks

 

[vette427sbc]

I just came across this picture- would this be a more suitable location for a temp sender? (where the pressure sender is)


I know its still not as good as putting it in the pan, but I dont want to pull the pan right now to do that. Seeing as this fitting is by the oil filter, can I assume this is not a "dead head" connection and oil will flow past it?

 

[Imo Apita]

Any chance you can put it in the pan through the drain plug?

 

[big2bird]

I just came across this picture- would this be a more suitable location for a temp sender? (where the pressure sender is)


I know its still not as good as putting it in the pan, but I dont want to pull the pan right now to do that. Seeing as this fitting is by the oil filter, can I assume this is not a "dead head" connection and oil will flow past it?

On the 81, the temp sender is there, and the pressure sender is on a 90* elbow on top of the China wall.