Install of water temp gauge - L245DT

[John RHR]

Folks -

Maybe I'm blind - but I am looking for a place to install a mechanical water temp gauge in my L245DT. I am not seeing any obvious pipe plugs - can any of you assist? Also, if there isn't a plug to install the gauge, how about simply wrapping the sender tight against the upper radiator hose with heat sealing tape - not the best, but at least would give me something. Looking for your feedback - thanks!

Selah,

John

 

[kubotasam]

Get a radiator hose adapter. Cut the top hose and insert it. You will need to size it to the inside diameter of the top hose. The one I put on my B7100 had a rather small threaded hole on the side. It was better suited to an electrical temp sensor than a mechanical one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/38MM-Radiator-Hose-Temperature-Sensor-Adapter-Black-Breather-Tank-Adapter-/232126629742

 

[007kubotaguy]

Hello
You should have a plug on top of the head that you can remove and install a gauge. Right rear corner , just behind the last injector.
Good Luck Lance

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Here is the plug location.

 

[mattwithcats]

Is that a 1/8 -27 NPT threads?

The oil is 1/8-28 BSPT, same as Subaru's (hint hint when looking for an adapter), LMA Auto parts has a "T" on the end of a 30 millimeter hose, works great moving the oil pressure sender to another location....

I do like the little Auto Gage water temp, very small, but it's a digital sender, no tubing,,...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00062YVWK/

All three, water temp, oil pressure, and volts...
https://www.amazon.com/Auto-Meter-2391-Autogage-Electric/dp/B00062YW06/

 

[D2Cat]

Not sure on the L245, but on the L305 I'm pretty sure is a 12 X 1.25 mm. I got the adapter fitting at the local O'reilly Auto. It was in a package of 5 items hanging on a peg by the meters! (the counter guys didn't know they had them)

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Because it's a plug with a sealing washer it might need a BSPP fitting.

 

[JunkyardDog]

Did anyone complete this task? I am looking to add a temp gauge. The electronics are not an issue. I want to be sure the sensor placement is appropriate.

Has the threading in the block or head location been confirmed to be NPT or BSPP or any other variant? I am familiar with NPT. Not so much with BSPP, BSPT, etc. I am also assuming that the port mentioned in an earlier response is the one I marked with a red circle/oval in the attached picture. Is this correct?

Without some feedback, I am leaning towards fitting inline of the hose. I am not sure how reliable that would be. Any thoughts on this?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It BSPT, most Gauge kits meant for foreign cars will have the proper adapter in the kit.

 

[JunkyardDog]

It BSPT, most Gauge kits meant for foreign cars will have the proper adapter in the kit.

Thanks!

By foreign cars, would it be more exclusive to any region? With the 'B' is BSPP being British, I suspect at least European.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thanks!

By foreign cars, would it be more exclusive to any region? With the 'B' is BSPP being British, I suspect at least European.

BSPP = British Standard Pipe Parallel
BSPT = British Standard Pipe Taper

Japanese, German, British, and quite a few others use BSPT sensors.

 

[fj40dave]

Hi all,

I'm freshening up a L245DT and wanted to install a temp and oil pressure gauge.

Not finding the plug in the top of the head like I did for the last L245DT temp gauge I installed.

Would the "in line" water hose install be the only other option?
I took out the block drain plug, and that won't work.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Hi all,

I'm freshening up a L245DT and wanted to install a temp and oil pressure gauge.

Not finding the plug in the top of the head like I did for the last L245DT temp gauge I installed.

Would the "in line" water hose install be the only other option?
I took out the block drain plug, and that won't work.

Not the in line (bottom) but the out line (top) radiator hose is where you put it.

Bottom will give you a false reading, as it will give you a cooled reading.

 

[fj40dave]

Out-Line.....gotchya

Thank You Again NIWM!

Hope you & the fam are staying healthy over there!

 

[fox87stang]

Hi all,

I'm freshening up a L245DT and wanted to install a temp and oil pressure gauge.

Not finding the plug in the top of the head like I did for the last L245DT temp gauge I installed.

Would the "in line" water hose install be the only other option?
I took out the block drain plug, and that won't work.

How did you install this into the outlet of the radiator? Was there a special adapter or piece that allowed you to bolt into the hose?

 

[fj40dave]

How did you install this into the outlet of the radiator? Was there a special adapter or piece that allowed you to bolt into the hose?

I ended up using the drain plug outlet.
The "in-line" choice was too big to fit with the short hose lengths, and I also didn't want to be back fixing any leaks later on (the tractors get used by various employees and their "love" for them isn't always sincere!)

 

[L275]

Hi all,

I'm freshening up a L245DT and wanted to install a temp and oil pressure gauge.

Not finding the plug in the top of the head like I did for the last L245DT temp gauge I installed.

Would the "in line" water hose install be the only other option?
I took out the block drain plug, and that won't work.

This option is more expensive but with a 1/2" NPT sensor port it may be the best option if using a mechanical temp gauge. Many others have smaller sensor ports so the sensor size is important.

Advance Adapters 716674 Advance Adapters Inline Radiator Hose Adapters | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Advance Adapters Inline Radiator Hose Adapters with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Fittings and Adapters at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Some may have a less expensive route for a suggestion on a mechanical temp gauge.

 

[L275]

Hi all,

I'm freshening up a L245DT and wanted to install a temp and oil pressure gauge.

Not finding the plug in the top of the head like I did for the last L245DT temp gauge I installed.

Would the "in line" water hose install be the only other option?
I took out the block drain plug, and that won't work.

It may be the other plug as shown in the picture.

 

[SonofOrange]

This is on my short list of things to do. I'm interested if it worked and how you did it and where you mounted the gauge. There is not much operator space these mid 1970's tractors.
Thanks,

 

[Mountain Man Mike]

I installed my gauges right above the steering column on the sloped cowling which was the perfect angle for good visibility through the steering wheel. I used 5" long pieces of DWV black plumbing pipe to house the gauges, as I could not locate a three gauge exterior mount to my requirements. I use the bungee cord to keep a clear baggie over the gauges in rainy weather as they are not water resistant as was described and the temperature gauge fogs up internally if rain hits it directly. I plan on adding a third gauge for oil pressure that comes with audible and visual alarms for low pressure. The wires and tubing go into the engine compartment where the hood opening gap is. No wire pinch occurs.

My L245DT had the plug in the head for mounting the temperature sensor. Because yours does not have one I suggest you might try a properly sized radiator hose adaptor from Amazon like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Te...se+adapter&qid=1648523091&s=automotive&sr=1-5

Let us know how it turns out.