I'm really quite surprised it doesn't work...!
I've put 2JZGTE and 1JZGTE into identical cars (MZ12) and both the temperature gagues have worked so I beleive the temperature / resistance curves are the same.
If you doubt they are the same you could check it a few ways
1) Put both sensors in a pot of water on the stove and slowly head the water while measureing the resistances with a multimeter
2) Look at the Toyota Service and Repair Manuals (TSRMs) for MA70 and say JZA80 which will have the temperature / resistance curves that you can compare.
Personally if I had to take a guess as to you what your problem is I would suggest that perhaps the sensor ground for the dash is not connected, as a result of the engine swap! Have you tried testing the gauge / wiring etc by shorting the temp sensor plug pin on the engine to ground? (this should read as high high temp on the gauge I beleive)
Cheers
Wilbo
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