Ford 302 Sensors

[jbarila]

Quick question,
On the Ford 302 the oil pressure sensor tap is on the front of the engine next to the oil filter. What is the sensor on some 302's
at the back of the engine, right side, on the top of the engine to tranny flange? Is that a low oil pressure light tap?
Thanks to the Ford experts.
JB

[DC Townsend]

If it's at the rear on the passenger side on top, it's where they bolt the identification tag.

[jbarila]

No its a sensor. I removed it for the rebuild.

[jbarila]

Red arrow upper right of the picture

[Moderator]

Did the sensor extend into an oil galley or into the water jacket? A knock sensor wouldn't extend into either.

[ex-tyke]

Just looked at my '89 block and that port is non existant...that location also appears to go into the flywheel cavity not an oil or water jacket.

[BlownMGB-V8]

Looks like it lines up with the lifter galley. Does it intersect the main oil galley and feed the rear main by chance?

Jim

[DC Townsend]

I don't doubt you but I've had several of these motors and all used that location for either a ground strap or the ID tag. That said, I've been through my 5.0 books and the one that has the answer is The Official Ford Mustang 5.0: Technical Reference & Performance Handbook : 1979 Through 1993. That said, and I never thought I'd be saying this, my dog ate part of the front cover and the info you need was on the inside front. It's called the "Engine Bay Spotters Guide" and I tried looking it up on-line but no luck. If you're building any kind of five litre, it's worth grabbing this volume. About $25 used through Amazon. Now you've got me wondering. Will be anxious to hear the answer if someone finds out.

[jbarila]

It is drilled through to the oil gallery. I'm thinking low oil pressure idiot light with oil pressure reading from the normal spot.
This engine is a 1992 HO (roller engine) 5L. Probably from a lincoln but I'm not sure. Also the threads are not NPT, a pipe plug will not thread into it which makes it hard to plug. Pete Mantell thinks it's a knock sensor, but why would it be connected to the oil gallery? I tried to plug it with a bolt but no luck either.

[BlownMGB-V8]

If it is a straight thread you need a fitting that uses either an o-ring or a copper gasket. Hydraulic shops carry both, very likely that is what fits it.

Jim

[ex-tyke]

Asked a Ford buddy of mine and he seemed to think that location is used for the knock sensor but should be a blind hole and not bored into an oil gallery. Not all 302"s (for a specific model year) used a knock sensor - primarily a truck feature, not car.
He also said that '92 Lincolns had the 4.6 modular engine not 302.
....the plot thickens........

[Moderator]

Although they wouldn't have been used as early as 1992, some newer engines are being equipped with oil quality sensors. I think they're more commonly installed on the oil pan. Just for future reference, here's one article on that kind of sensor: http://www.sensorland.com/AppPage064.html  (A Google search will find more articles, if anyone's interested.) As far as I know, the initial market for oil quality sensors has been larger diesel and industrial engines... in other words, engines that go a lot longer between routine oil changes, that have more oil capacity to begin with, and that are more expensive to repair/rebuild.

[jbarila]

The engine is a 302 HO 1989/1992 out of a Mustang. The guy I got it from told me it came out of a Lincoln...So much for his knowledge or mine for that matter. I was looking around AutoZone at the different sensors and the one that came out looks like an oil pressure light switch from a 89 to 92 Mustang. It was only a few bucks and the threads matched so as a minimum it plugged the hole! I just wish some one knew for sure especially me! Thanks for all your help and sugestions.
 I found a picture of Jack Pease's 302. The arrow shows a better picture of the placement. His engine has a plug of some sort in it.