I'm keen to install a CHT gauge (type 1 ), maybe one of these, i can live with the oddly square design. Thing is has anyone actually successfully fitted the 14 mm 'ring' connector under a spark plug as intended?, seems a bit tight to me, is there anywhere else on the head it could be attached to without removing the engine, tinware etc?. Any info would be great.
If its a T1 then it will be tight.. i have completely chewed up a ring sensor doing up the spark plug. So my sensor is now a more approximate version in a different Autolinea EMPI/Mexican style tapped boss hole in the head.
Technically, what’s the best part of a cylinder head to take the temperature from? What element of the cylinder head is likely to fail first due to overheating? (T1, standard 1600, van) cheers
I really don't fancy the sensor under a spark plug as it's recessed etc, IMO that area is delicate enough as it is and not particularly accessible. I presume fitting the sensor under a rear top exhaust flange nut wouldn't work , that would be too easy.
They recommend fitting the sensor under No.3 plug as allegedly it runs the hottest. If that's not enough for you, you could always fit 4 gauges.
You mean the area between the valves - where the spark plug sits maybe ?? Dunno what you expect to attain by fitting one to be honest , just another worry guage . I`ve oil pressure and oil temp guages that`s enough to keep me entertained enough on a long journey ...
Under cylinder 3 spark plug is the most accurate place to put it. Carefully file the centre of the sender ring out a bit to make it easier to fit. Or open it up with a cone cutter in a drill. I have mine mounted on a stud next to the inlet manifold however it reads 30-40c less than the hottest part of the head. I just add that on to whatever it tells me.
That's an option !. I 'll have to compare the temp around base of spark plug to rear of head where the exhaust flange is bolted on with a laser temp gauge.
The trouble with oil temp gauges, although very useful , by the time your oil reads hotter, it's probably already too late to avoid cyl head damage. A CHT gauge reacts much quicker than an oil temp gauge.
You still have to interpret the CHT gauges. When the valve broke on my previous engine the readings had been going a bit higher than usual for a few days before . But maybe 10 degrees higher when normal running was 100 to 140 deg C at the tapped boss. the readings were still inside normal range. Oil temperatures were 80 to 110 C at the time. Scariest was if you turned it off waited a couple of minutes and you would see 140-160C .. heads start softening and cracking around 150C ...
Interesting info Mike. Do you think the sensor would work ok connected to the exhaust flange, rear of head, i really don't fancy the under a spark plug idea. i haven't had a chance yet to check what the temperature in in that area.