283 oil port question

I am wanting to hook my oil pressure sedning unit to the port above the oil filter on my 283. The bolt that is currently in that hole is 7/16". Everthing I've read says that hole should be 3/8 which is strange, and I'm having trouble locating a br*** bushing that will adapt my sending unit which is a fine thread 3/8? to 7/16 npt. Any suggestions?

 

There is no such thing as a 7/16 NPT

 

Sorry I meant a 7/16 bolt not nominal pipe thread.

 

1/8'' npt.
But its probably f up now.

 

your sender is 1/8 npt not 3/8", better do your home work, on some blocks there are threaded holes for a slave cyl bracket, is this what your looking at?

 

You know there's a place back by the distributor, right?

 

It may be but I heard of an oil port you could use above the filter, when i removed this 7/16 bolt it had oil all over the threads. I'm ***uming this would be an oil galley.

yea theres one there and one in front behind the water pump. Cant really get to the back one and I didnt want the big sender sticking out the front of the engine. Plus those 1/4 square plugs are brutal to get out. I've kinda tried.

 

7/16 thread above oil filter is to mount the clutch ball !! >>>>.

 

So you're saying this port will not work to gauge oil pressure?

 

It's not a port it's a blind hole. The later blocks did have a hole over the filter that was tapped with a pipe thread that went to the oil galley but I don't believe that one does. I've been wrong before though.

I'm pretty well positive that on that block you have two choices, front or rear.

 

Mr Chev this is correct it is either the hole by the distributer or the hole above the timming cover on the front for a 283.

So my question is what is wrong with the hole by the distributer, if you want to use the sender for the idiot light and run a gauge you just put a T in there and you can still run them both.

 

JBOLTON, The oil pressure ports on a 283 are at the front of the block and just under the left side of the distributor, NOT in the side, unless you have a 327. Both ports a 1/8" npt.

 

only 2 choices there...ive built a bunch of the 283s and ive always used the port by the dist.

 

the only pressure port above the oil filter on 283s came from the factory with a Drive In Plug. A real pain in the *** to get out and would need to be tapped for pipe threads. Later small blocks had 1/4 inch pipe threads in this hole >>>>.

 

Thanks guys, I was just looking for a third option, guess I'll continue to try and get one of those frozen plugs out.

 

With the firewall being so close to the dizzy and that port it's nearly impossible to get a wrench on that plug, I would have to pull the motor out a bit to get to it which I was trying to avoid

 

Ratchet, extension and Universal joint before the proper socket to turn the plug. You might have to borrow a pair of small hands to put the sending unit in and start it in the threads and if it is one of the big fat ones you may have to make up a special wrench to turn it.

Few cars get built where there isn't one spot in the operation runs into a brick wall because a lack of prior planning and it looks like this may be yours.

 

Yes, and as you can see the firewall is right up against the dist. REAL tight fit back there.

 

take the carb, and cap off and you should be able to get to it pretty easy.well easier anyway.

 

as already mentioned , why not use the 1/8" port on the front of the engine? most 283s have them

 

You should be able to get that plug out. What running no vacuum advance on the street. Thats a no-no better gas mileage with it...Dan

 

I've tried to get that plug out,, with no luck whatsoever. I'm going to try and spend some time on it tonight with heat, candlewax, and a lot of patience.

??? I am running my vacuum advance, unless you know something I dont.. which is very possible

 

Your right at first look I thought it was a plug on the can. Sorry...Dan

 

If you're not running an offset distributor, you have room to use the rear one; good luck getting the plug out. Br*** tees, extensions and elbows are your friend for serviceability and clearance.

 

Thought I would post an update since it may help someone. So after working both br*** plugs for hours I have succeeded in rounding off both fittings and am not looking forward to drilling either one out. So that being said I found this! Anyone ever use one? not only can I run a hidden oil pressure sender, I can also tap in a temp sens as well. Thanks to everyone that gave me advice, I appreciate your comments.

 

Might be to late now but 1/8"npt is almost 7/16" fine tread, I've used a 7/16 fine tread bolt for a 1/8" pipe plug in a pinch.

 

And here it is, just got it in the mail. $30.00, pretty handy for those who want to run a hidden oil temp and pressure senser, three ports all together.