Where the heck is my temperature sending unit

[Millercorey]

Alright gents, I've searched the forum and I've found a ton of articles referencing it, but nothing to help a simpleton like me actually find the dang thing. I've got an original 71 302 with a temperature gauge that's never worked. Trying to troubleshoot and I figure it's either completely missing, not even connected, or just plain bad.

Anyone have any pics to show me where to look? I can provide pics of engine if that will help, but I'm hoping the stock location is pretty uniform across years.

 

[savage]

Take a picture of the intake. Mine is not stock but is located on the intake manifold. I think is the same place or close. Sometime its located by the thermostat housing. Mine is a mechanical gauge, so the connection is different, yours should have a wirer with a 90 connector on the end. The second picture shows a electrical one installed.

 

[Slowleak]

Here’s a stock one. It’s just to the right of the distributor.

 

[Millercorey]

K so here's the two likely spots, but I'm seeing a mess of stuff that's got me confused.

All signs point to the stock location being on the driver's side, but there's just a screw holding a bracket for a spring. Guessing this is like a throttle return spring or something. Passengers side where the hose enters, and there's an odd guy sticking up with a few 90 degrees "knubs?" but this doesn't look like an temperature sending units I've seen for sale

 

[Slowleak]

Hmmm....... been awhile since I had a ‘71. Did you check between the distributor and the carburetor? I think some mustangs had them there.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Follow that red wire. I think the sensor is hiding under the back of the distributor.

 

[Millercorey]

Freaking geniuses..... Appreciate the assist as always. Don't know what I'd do without ya

 

[jckkys]

Part of the problem is the throttle return spring bracket. It should be bolted to the intake at the boss cast just in front of the driver side carb hold down stud. The boss has a threaded hole in it. The bracket needs to be turned 180 degrees too. Now it's backwards and secured by the intake hold down bolt.