Oil Temp Sensor

[Jaibel]

I realize the best place for an oil temperature sensor would be in the line from the cooler back to the engine, but I don't have an oil cooler at this time.

Would it be OK to install the sensor low enough on the side of the oil pan to be covered by oil? I know that the oil goes from the pan through the pump and then out to the filter (and cooler, if so equipped) then back to the engine, but without a cooler, the oil coming back to the engine is almost the same temp as going out.

At this point the car will be used for autocross and maybe track days.

Inquiring minds would like to know.

[mikeb]

I bought a roadster that had been raced a little bit and had the oil temp sensor installed adjacent to the drain plug, so you should be fine. The car also originally had the factory oil cooler installed, but with the 7 qt pan the oil never reached normal operating temperature on the street, so I removed the cooler. I drove the car pretty hard, but just on the street, so your needs may vary. Maybe some of the racers can chime in?

[spl310]

The factory comp pan had what appeared to be two drain plug locations. One was a drain plug hole while the other was for an oil temp gauge.