[weitekampt]

I got my gauges in the mail and read them carefully. I think that I understand the whole pyrometer thing. But isn't there a location on top of the motor to place the probe? I guess I always thought that it was on top of the motor and not drilling from underneath into the manifold. I guess I don't really mind it, but am kinda nervous. Especially tapping in close quarters. I don't think the T-handle will work well. What have you guys used when installing your pyro? Could somebody send a picture or something? it would help me a TON! Especially the hint on what tool to use instead of the t-handle when tapping the hole. Also, what size tap do I use. Sorry, not very familiar with these tools. Have used in the past, but a long time ago.

HELP!

 

[weitekampt]

Also, where do I clamp if I don't drill and tap? Pics?

 

[Hawkeyes]

Hawkeyes to the rescue...

http://www.forgotton.net/diesel/cobalt/index.html

http://www.dieselmanor.com/diy/PSD3-gauge/PSD3gauge-p1.htm


/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[SmokeyWren]

Drilling and tapping the exhaust manifold from under the truck (with your head under the oil filter) is duck soup easy. But if you're uncomfortable with that, then simply drill a hole in the up pipe right next to the exhaust manifold, and use a clamp-in thermocouple.

There is virtually no difference in the performance of a clamped in thermocouple vs. a screwed in thermocouple. So do the one you're most comfortable with.

The following photo was taken from under the oil filter looking up to the exhaust manifold. The arrow points to a plug in a drilled and tapped hole in the exhaust manifold where a screw-in thermocouple used to be installed. Look further up on the up pipe and you'll see the clamp-in thermocouple that I'm still using. The white blob at the bottom of the photo is the oil filter. Click here.

(My truck was used as a beta tester for pyrometers, so that's why I have 3 different holes - including one in the downpipe - for installing various types of thermocouples.)

 

[tapmij]

Smokey,

I have seen recommendations of for and against putting grease on the bit to prevent shavings from going inside the pipe. Which do you recommend?

Jim

 

[Hoss350]

[ QUOTE ]
Smokey,

I have seen recommendations of for and against putting grease on the bit to prevent shavings from going inside the pipe. Which do you recommend?

Jim

[/ QUOTE ]

Not necessary. The shavings fall down, not up. Anything left inside the manifold you can get with a bent nail and a magnet (put the magnet on the unbent side to magnetiz the nail, then put the bent side intot he manifold to get any particles.) Doing so was a waste of time for me, there wasn't anything in there to catch. Whats more, i am convinced that even if there ahd been, it would have been blown out at startup, when the turbo isn't spinning very fast. Just not an issue, MHO.

 

[BobWuerthner]

Shop vac the hole out after drilling then tapping. It works real good. I use a little cutting oil when tapping. Not for the chips, just for lubrication.

Bob

 

[drdenny1]

I did mine in the manifold. Just drill and tap. USE the grease and drill and tap slowly, the shavings will stick to the grease.

 

[SmokeyWren]

[ QUOTE ]
I have seen recommendations of for and against putting grease on the bit to prevent shavings from going inside the pipe. Which do you recommend?

[/ QUOTE ]

The drill or tap shavings will not hurt the turbo, so all this worry about them is unnecessary. If you do it "right" by drilling a tiny hole first, then use larger and larger bits until you reach the right size, all the drillbit shavings are going to be tiny.

Most of the shavings are going to fall down into your face (so be sure to wear eye protection), but if some of them somehow fall up into the exhaust path, don't worry about them. When you first crank the engine, those tiny metal shavings will quickly pass through the barely-turning turbo blades with no harm.

But if you're anal about the shavings, it won't hurt anything to use grease on the drill bits and/or tap, and/or vacuum out the holes before you install the thermocouple, and/or use a magnet to fish out any remaining shavings that somehow fell up into the manifold or up pipe. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[RenoF250]

For tapping tight areas I use a rachet with the apprpriate size 8-point socket on the end. It is easier than a T handle but the T gives better control to start the tap. Tapping the maniford is very easy but make sure you start straight. I had to tap mine deeper than I wanted because I started crooked.