[L98] Knock Sensor Installation Hints
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
[L98] Knock Sensor Installation Hints
I'm about to "elevate" my 1985 and install a replacement knock sensor. Any hints? I have the manual - just looking for the collective experience of the forum...
...by the way, those of you who know my (strange) NCRS ways will be interested to know that I'm going with the 1987-1989 sensor, not the service replacement 1984-1986 version. Shocking!
...by the way, those of you who know my (strange) NCRS ways will be interested to know that I'm going with the 1987-1989 sensor, not the service replacement 1984-1986 version. Shocking!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,182
Likes: 2
From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by j3studio
I'm about to "elevate" my 1985 and install a replacement knock sensor. Any hints? I have the manual - just looking for the collective experience of the forum...
...by the way, those of you who know my (strange) NCRS ways will be interested to know that I'm going with the 1987-1989 sensor, not the service replacement 1984-1986 version. Shocking!
...by the way, those of you who know my (strange) NCRS ways will be interested to know that I'm going with the 1987-1989 sensor, not the service replacement 1984-1986 version. Shocking!
Shouldn't be any problem, but I would invest a few bucks in the socket made for this removal and I would follow the instructions for never seize on the new partThere is a long pigtail with the replacement, tie it off so it can't get to the exhaust
easy job, have fun
seeya
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by jackdaroofer
Shouldn't be any problem, but I would invest a few bucks in the socket made for this removal and I would follow the instructions for never seize on the new part.
There is a long pigtail with the replacement, tie it off so it can't get to the exhaust.
There is a long pigtail with the replacement, tie it off so it can't get to the exhaust.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,182
Likes: 2
From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by j3studio
Thanks, Jack!
You are welcome!I did one once and let the pigtail float free, it ended up on the exhaust pipe and I had the pleasure
of buying and installing another one!have fun and seeya soon
Jack
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 2
From: Latham NY
Are you also updating the Module to go with that sensor?
OEM Part Numbers - Module, Electronic Spark Control -
'85-'86 p/n 16022621 - New p/n 16126761
'87-'89 p/n 16052401 - New p/n 16038331
'90 p/n 16080211
OEM Part Numbers - Module, Electronic Spark Control -
'85-'86 p/n 16022621 - New p/n 16126761
'87-'89 p/n 16052401 - New p/n 16038331
'90 p/n 16080211
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,182
Likes: 2
From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by Bluevette85
Are you also updating the Module to go with that sensor?
OEM Part Numbers - Module, Electronic Spark Control -
'85-'86 p/n 16022621 - New p/n 16126761
'87-'89 p/n 16052401 - New p/n 16038331
'90 p/n 16080211
OEM Part Numbers - Module, Electronic Spark Control -
'85-'86 p/n 16022621 - New p/n 16126761
'87-'89 p/n 16052401 - New p/n 16038331
'90 p/n 16080211
Jack
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Bluevette85
Are you also updating the Module to go with that sensor?
OEM Part Numbers - Module, Electronic Spark Control -
'85-'86 p/n 16022621 - New p/n 16126761
'87-'89 p/n 16052401 - New p/n 16038331
'90 p/n 16080211
OEM Part Numbers - Module, Electronic Spark Control -
'85-'86 p/n 16022621 - New p/n 16126761
'87-'89 p/n 16052401 - New p/n 16038331
'90 p/n 16080211
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 4
From: Kewaskum Wisconsin
If you are replacing the knock sensor, don’t forget that there will be coolant that will run out when you pull out the sensor. Make sure the motor is cold, …or you could drain the coolant out, but it shouldn’t be necessary if you are quick pulling the old one off and getting the new one in the hole really quick.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Hole-Shot
If you are replacing the knock sensor, don’t forget that there will be coolant that will run out when you pull out the sensor. Make sure the motor is cold, …or you could drain the coolant out, but it shouldn’t be necessary if you are quick pulling the old one off and getting the new one in the hole really quick.
Can anyone confirm that I'm okay with the slightly newer knock sensor?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 0
From: GA
Originally Posted by j3studio
Thanks, David.
Can anyone confirm that I'm okay with the slightly newer knock sensor?
Can anyone confirm that I'm okay with the slightly newer knock sensor?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Morley
I used a newer knock sensor on my 85 and have never had a problem. It detects knock when present and doesn't show any when there isn't any. ECM (up graded to the 165) seems happy with the mix and match setup.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 24
From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
Be sure to tighten it to the proper torque (I forget what it is, and don't have my Helms with me at work). Too tight will give you false knock readings.
You don't need to drain the coolant, but definitely be prepared to thread the new sensor in as SOON as you pull out the old, to eliminate coolant loss.
Other than that, fairly simple job
You don't need to drain the coolant, but definitely be prepared to thread the new sensor in as SOON as you pull out the old, to eliminate coolant loss.
Other than that, fairly simple job
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Another hint, the orange coating that comes on there is all the insulation needed. DO NOT use thread tape or thread compound because that will effect the sensor's acoustic sensitivity.
Torque the sensor back in at the correct specs. I believe it's 15 lbs. but double check your Chevy shop manual to be sure. That's about it really.
Torque the sensor back in at the correct specs. I believe it's 15 lbs. but double check your Chevy shop manual to be sure. That's about it really.
