I'm interested in putting a Water temp gauge on our 2 stroke outboard. We already have a water pressure gauge so this would be an additional line of defense. I've done some research and there isn't exactly a straight answer but it seems we have an unused water jacket plug on the port side head of the engine (example photo below). There is also a blind hole on the head which I believe can also be used.
Each head has a single accessory water jacket plug, but the Starboard side is occupied for the water pressure gauge. So logically the port side would work for my needs. I'm curious though because it almost looks like the plug location taps into the water jacket post-thermostat meaning when the thermostat is closed, there would be no water flow past the sender.
If that is not the case, I still want to be sure it is even safe to install a sender in this jacket port as I'm sure to some degree they block flow through the jacket when probed. I guess because the probe is cylindrical it creates very minimal friction to the flow. I haven't read really anyone adding the sender to the water jacket port on an outboard as far as I can tell, most people are using the blind holes unoccupied on their heads from what I can tell so this is why I ask. The second photo is the sender I'll be using.
Each head has a single accessory water jacket plug, but the Starboard side is occupied for the water pressure gauge. So logically the port side would work for my needs. I'm curious though because it almost looks like the plug location taps into the water jacket post-thermostat meaning when the thermostat is closed, there would be no water flow past the sender.
If that is not the case, I still want to be sure it is even safe to install a sender in this jacket port as I'm sure to some degree they block flow through the jacket when probed. I guess because the probe is cylindrical it creates very minimal friction to the flow. I haven't read really anyone adding the sender to the water jacket port on an outboard as far as I can tell, most people are using the blind holes unoccupied on their heads from what I can tell so this is why I ask. The second photo is the sender I'll be using.