As far as threads, they may or may not be compatible. If it's just the threads, go to a good hardware store and find two brass fittings - ont that will screw into the head and one that fits the sending unit. Then buy whatever fitting you need to connect the two parts. You can easily add a warning light to your stock system by installing a 'T' fitting with the stock sending unit on one end and a temp switch on the other.

If all else fails, just get by with an aftermarket gauge until you get home.

As far as using a rubber hose as a temporary connector, the cooling system on these engines is SUPPOSED to be unpressurized, so you shouldn't have any problem with blowing off a hose if you try that.

(Pressurizing the cooling system leads to several problems; blown out heater coils, blown out radiators, overheating, etc.)

Good luck! I drove my 'new' PV544 home from San Jose, CA - about 400 miles. No problems!


(Added) Oh, yeah...I understand that one of the major changes was the length of the sensor. I don't know if they went to a shorter one or a longer one...but the long one doesn't fit the block that used the shorter one...