56 bel air temp sender wire conector

if it's fitting that loose maybe that's your gauge problem??

Here is a link to a repair kit for your temperature sender wire and connector. The 1956 temperature sender is a one year only item and it should use the pin style connector. If you do not have the correct sender your gauge will not read correctly. I have also provided a link for a correctly calibrated 1956 only sender.

Steve

Shadetree55 said:

is yours the nail head type sender?? if so maybe this??
View attachment 397636

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that looks like it should work
thanks

Make sure you have the correct sender so you get an accurate reading.

yellowtr3 said:

that looks like it should work
thanks

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GM thought so.

yellowtr3 said:

the temp sender has a strange, to me, wire connector terminal.
what does the connector at the end of the wire look like and what's it called and where to get them?
mine has just a spade connector that fits very poorly...Frank

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@acardon used to post a source for these connectors all the time...I'm not finding it now though.

Pops @ Tri-5.com said:

@acardon used to post a source for these connectors all the time...I'm not finding it now though.

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That type of connector for the temperature sensor/switch is the same as the forward-end push on type and uses the exact same terminal inside. All that is needed "to make it work for the temperature sensor/switch is the little cut-out on the side of the connector housing so that can be installed from the side, sliding over the terminal tip on the sensor/switch. Not for the 1000pt restoration but it is equivalent. Those connectors may be available at the big box stores. I recently bought a new alternator connector - couldn't believe that I didn't have one. Working on some electrical presently.

^^^ 1000% correct, took a look at my replacement (still in the box) and it does not have the nail head post, but exactly as above. What I said was related to the '57+ nail head style. Something else to change on my harness because it has the later terminal & connector on it. I'll probably use a round post push on type. My '55 is not original and I am using the '56 sender & gage setup.

zookpr said:

^^^ 1000% correct, took a look at my replacement (still in the box) and it does not have the nail head post, but exactly as above. What I said was related to the '57+ nail head style. Something else to change on my harness because it has the later terminal & connector on it. I'll probably use a round post push on type. My '55 is not original and I am using the '56 sender & gage setup.

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The temperature sender wire repair kit that I recommended in post #4 of this thread, includes both a slide on connector and a pin type connector. If you have the correct 1956 only sender it will use the pin type connector.

Steve

I had a hard time finding the end connector and new sensor. I went ahead and just added a Mechanical temp

I have a '55 but will using a '56 cluster. I too have below dash gages, oil pressure and temperature from when I had the '55 bulb type gage. I just want the replacement '56 cluster to be fully functional too.

In my 55 I also put a 56 gauge in the cluster and matching sender. It closely matches the temp of my after market gauge temps. I've had this car 45 years and last year was the first year my cluster finally had temp readings showing. Love it!

In the above figure with the sending units, the "56 series" refers to the terminal type - NOT the model year of the car.