bleeder screw drilling

[S13FX]

Hey Guys, I want to install my Autometer water temp gauge, and I want to put the sensor in the place of the bleeder screw. The one by the intake manifold. Now Iv read on here that people jsut drill that hole bigger and then retap it. My worry is when i try to bleed that screw bigger Il get shavings inside there.

Has anyone done it this way, and not have any problems?

[TheOne]

you could try takin out the radiator hose and puttin a magnet through it or something that will catch the metal shavings while you drill & tap.

sry, i have not tried this but it sure is a good idea.

[WDRacing]

What he said and coat the drill bit with vaseline or Pet and it will hold alot of the shavings.

Wait a minute, isn't the fitting aluminum? If so the magnet us useless...my 240 is on base with a rod through the block so I can't go look at it and give any kind of decent advice.

WD

[S13FX]

Yah, I like the vaseline idea, plus it dosent have to be drilled much bigger for the sensor to fit. its like bare minimum. But I'm doing this after work today so Il let you guys know how it went, and what I did. If I worry that I got any shavings in there. Il just reflush the whole system afterwards. I was just wondering if anyone here actually has done it, because all I have seen is the idea been thrown around and no one actually doing it.

[WDRacing]

Good deal, take some pics and I'll make an article for the sticky.

[S13FX]

Ok so I drilled and drilled and drilled and I finally did it heh. Anyways I had to make the hole a little longer then it originally was and bigger. They made that bleeder hole really tiny at the bottom but it opens up to the port when you drill. I just drilled long enough for the Autometer type sensor to screw and fit in all the way. I used Vaseline to catch the metal shavings with like WDRacing suggested and it seemed to work wonderful. I basically I put the drill in Vaseline and started drilling. And I don't believe I got any shavings in there. But it's really soft aluminum so if I did get any in there I will flush them right out. I will post some pictures of the install tomorrow. There basically is really nothing to it just drill it and tap with the right thread. I almost thought I could just use the sensor to tap it with, because the aluminum is so soft.

[IanS13]

it's quite simple just drill it and get a good shop vac and suck it out.

[WDRacing]

Glad it worked out for ya.