Temp gauge not working

[72mach1]

Temp gauge is not working on my 72 mach 1. Does anyone know if the part number WT386 is what i need as a temperature sensor. I have the gauge cluster in the middle of the dash.

Also, the other day i drove my car 30 miles on the interstate. When i pulled up to gas station and got out i noticed under the front of the car fluid was coming out of a hose. Didn't get to look at it much, but figured it was the radiator overflow hose that runs from the radiator to the bottom of the car. Figured maybe the car got a little hot or the radiator has to much fluid in it, and it was sending it out below the car when i stopped. anyone have this happen before? Car drove fine after i left gas station. Car didn't have any more fluid spill on the ground once i arrived home. If time permits i plan on fixing the temp gauge this weekend so i can monitor the temperature of the car.

[JTS71 Mach1]

You're most likely correct on the coolant overflow hose, and the fluid on the ground being from the radiator. Since you said after it did it once it stopped. That's a good sign, as long as when it cools and you can check the radiator, it's still full then all would seem ok. By all means fix the temp guage as guickly as possible as for the correct part # I'm not sure off the top of my head, but be sure to tell them it has a guage and not an idiot light. JTS 71 Mach1

[Steven Harris]

Sorry - I do not know the part number either.

I think you are spot on with your diagnosis of the little leak but keep an eye on it. It may just have needed to "burb" out an air lock. You will definitely want to get the gauge fixed.

Let us know what part number you find and how it all works out.

[72mach1]

   

Pulled radiator cap off tonight. Looks the inside is looking pretty rough. Stuck my finger in there and pulled out some rough gunk. Looks like ill be pulling that radiator out and flushing it out.

Traced the wire to the temp sender tonight to make sure wire wasn't cut, broke, etc. Wire looked okay. Gonna see if a parts store has the part i need this weekend, and i plan on swapping it out if time permits.

I read in the 1972 manual that i can pull out the thermostat and boil it in some water to see if it opens a minimum of 1/4, that way i know if my thermostat is good.

Should the fan behind the radiator spin freely when the car is not started?

[Steven Harris]

Boiling the thermostat is a good way of proving that it is working. Add a thermometer to the water if you have one and you will be able to gauge it's accuracy.

I am going to assume that you have a fan clutch on your fan. If so it should not spin completely freely (there should be some resistance) but yes it should spin by hand.