How to install a temp gauge on an engine outside of boat?

[bnelson1980]

I’m finishing up a motor and will be testing it in the next couple days before I install it in my boat. It’s a 5.7 Mercruiser. I would like to hook up a water temp gauge to monitor while testing. What is a good gauge and where would I install it? Would I use one of the 1/2 inch plugs on the manifold? If not, is there another way to monitor the temp?

 

[Bt Doctur]

a infra red temp gun or just use the sender there now with a gauge

 

[04fxdwgi25]

The temp sender is usually on the thermostat housing. Normally 2 senders there. The one with the red body is the alarm switch. The smaller one is the gauge sender.

Any electric temp gauge will work. start with a cheap one....

 

[Scott06]

I used a $20 bosch mechanical gauge from the auto parts store. there were a few 1/2” pipe plugs on the water crossover thermostat housing that I stabbed it into