C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Knock sensor wont come out!! Help!!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 11:25 AM
  #21  
Speedway1's Avatar
Speedway1
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood LA.
Default

Originally Posted by Quicksilver Vert 01
At this point, you might as well remove the lifter valley cover to see, from underneath, if the threads are stripped and just turning.

You may end up having to drill the sensor out, and then repair the damaged valley cover threads with a Helicoil.
I thought the threads for the sensor were in the block not the vally cover. I will see if it will come off though thanks.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 11:29 AM
  #22  
4SFED Z's Avatar
4SFED Z
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,704
Likes: 4
From: Lone Star State
Default

Take a drill and drill a hole big enough to get a screw driver in. Do the same to the other side.

Place a screwdriver in each hole and turn it to get it out. As you turn it, you may have to have someone pull on the top of it to apply pressure (if threads are stripped)


4SFED Z
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 12:51 PM
  #23  
Quicksilver Vert 01's Avatar
Quicksilver Vert 01
Tech Contributor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by Speedway1
I thought the threads for the sensor were in the block not the vally cover.
You are right! They ARE threaded into the block.

The shop manual shows 2 raised pedestals, cast into the lifter galley on the block, that line up with the knock sensor cavities in the valley cover.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 01:47 PM
  #24  
Speedway1's Avatar
Speedway1
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood LA.
Default

Originally Posted by Quicksilver Vert 01
You are right! They ARE threaded into the block.

The shop manual shows 2 raised pedestals, cast into the lifter galley on the block, that line up with the knock sensor cavities in the valley cover.
NEW BIGGER PROBLEM.Sensor came out but it or I Broke the raised pedestal!!! Broke enough that cant rethread it. Are these pedestals pressed in or cast in the block? Can the pedestal be replaced some how? This just keeps getting better and better!
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 01:51 PM
  #25  
Speedway1's Avatar
Speedway1
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood LA.
Default

Originally Posted by 4SFED Z
Take a drill and drill a hole big enough to get a screw driver in. Do the same to the other side.

Place a screwdriver in each hole and turn it to get it out. As you turn it, you may have to have someone pull on the top of it to apply pressure (if threads are stripped)


4SFED Z
I drilled out the center. tried an easy out. BIG mistake! IT broke the pedestal the sensor mounts in. Too mush to rethread. IS this made into the block or pressed in. Wow cant believe this. IF its made into the black what then? Weld???? Some sort of Super aluminum glue????????
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 02:12 PM
  #26  
Gideon's_Test's Avatar
Gideon's_Test
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Default

Is a helicoil an option? Sorry for your difficulties with this!
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 02:17 PM
  #27  
Quicksilver Vert 01's Avatar
Quicksilver Vert 01
Tech Contributor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by Speedway1
I drilled out the center. tried an easy out. BIG mistake! IT broke the pedestal the sensor mounts in. Too mush to rethread. IS this made into the block or pressed in. Wow cant believe this. IF its made into the black what then? Weld???? Some sort of Super aluminum glue????????
OK, just walk away from it now to collect your thoughts. The pedestal was probably already broken. As you said earlier, the whole sensor body was turning when you first tried to remove it.

Aluminum CAN be welded with the right equipment. Bill Curlee had the starter mounting area on his engine block successfully welded. Hopefully he will chime back in on this, and offer you some good advice.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 02:35 PM
  #28  
Speedway1's Avatar
Speedway1
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood LA.
Default

Originally Posted by Quicksilver Vert 01
OK, just walk away from it now to collect your thoughts. The pedestal was probably already broken. As you said earlier, the whole sensor body was turning when you first tried to remove it.

Aluminum CAN be welded with the right equipment. Bill Curlee had the starter mounting area on his engine block successfully welded. Hopefully he will chime back in on this, and offer you some good advice.
Heli coil not an option. IT broke almost in half so one side is open almost.NO way to thread it. OK IM walking away. Might help this pit in my stomach. thanks
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 02:51 PM
  #29  
Eric D's Avatar
Eric D
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Default

Just replace the valley cover with a new or used one. The part # 12577927.

Last edited by Eric D; Sep 16, 2011 at 02:56 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 04:21 PM
  #30  
Speedway1's Avatar
Speedway1
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood LA.
Default

Originally Posted by Eric D
Just replace the valley cover with a new or used one. The part # 12577927.
That would be great if it would work. THe valley cover does not hold the sensor the block does. Thanks anyway I wish it was that simple.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 04:29 PM
  #31  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Speedway1
That would be great if it would work. THe valley cover does not hold the sensor the block does. Thanks anyway I wish it was that simple.
You broke the block??
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 04:35 PM
  #32  
dougbfresh's Avatar
dougbfresh
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Default

Maybe an option?

http://aluminumrepair.com/land/index...FQLBKgodkQ0vhQ

http://www.aluminumrepair.com/video/ThreadRepair.html
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 08:24 PM
  #33  
Eric D's Avatar
Eric D
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Default

Originally Posted by Speedway1
That would be great if it would work. THe valley cover does not hold the sensor the block does. Thanks anyway I wish it was that simple.
Hmm, I should have read the thread a little more careful... Well, there is no reason why it couldn't be tig welded as a last resort.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 08:26 PM
  #34  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Eric D
Hmm, I should have read the thread a little more careful... Well, there is no reason why it couldn't be tig welded as a last resort.
Eric,
After looking at some pics, it appears the bosses for the KS are machined, or some type of secondary operation. Do you know if they are pressed in?
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 08:43 PM
  #35  
Eric D's Avatar
Eric D
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
Eric,
After looking at some pics, it appears the bosses for the KS are machined, or some type of secondary operation. Do you know if they are pressed in?
I don't think they are pressed in, and it might not help the original poster soon enough, but I can find out for sure next Monday. I know that LS3 and other later blocks it is a machined surface on the side of the block. I expect it is on the LS1 too. Knock sensors really need a solid mounting for proper frequency band width.

If it broke a chunk out from the mounting boss and it was my engine, I'd tig weld the area back up. It really isn't that hard to do and with the tig the heat could be kept very localized.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 09:01 PM
  #36  
Speedway1's Avatar
Speedway1
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood LA.
Default

Originally Posted by Eric D
I don't think they are pressed in, and it might not help the original poster soon enough, but I can find out for sure next Monday. I know that LS3 and other later blocks it is a machined surface on the side of the block. I expect it is on the LS1 too. Knock sensors really need a solid mounting for proper frequency band width.

If it broke a chunk out from the mounting boss and it was my engine, I'd tig weld the area back up. It really isn't that hard to do and with the tig the heat could be kept very localized.
I got the SEnsor to catch some threads and maybe got it close to 8-10 lbs torque no more. Not sure what you are talking about when you talk about band width. After I got the car back together my check engine light was still on and did not go out after about a minute idle.Codes indicated a history not current code. I deleted the code and will see if it reapears after the car is driven SAT. I hope because the sensor does not have all its threads the light stays out. IF it comes back on Its time to tig weld and rethread. Thanks all for help.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 09:04 PM
  #37  
Speedway1's Avatar
Speedway1
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood LA.
Default

Originally Posted by Eric D
I don't think they are pressed in, and it might not help the original poster soon enough, but I can find out for sure next Monday. I know that LS3 and other later blocks it is a machined surface on the side of the block. I expect it is on the LS1 too. Knock sensors really need a solid mounting for proper frequency band width.

If it broke a chunk out from the mounting boss and it was my engine, I'd tig weld the area back up. It really isn't that hard to do and with the tig the heat could be kept very localized.
IF you can find out if it is pressed in that would be helpful. IF it is maybe it can be replaced somehow. THanks
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Knock sensor wont come out!! Help!!!!

Old Sep 16, 2011 | 09:25 PM
  #38  
Eric D's Avatar
Eric D
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Default

Originally Posted by Speedway1
I got the SEnsor to catch some threads and maybe got it close to 8-10 lbs torque no more. Not sure what you are talking about when you talk about band width. After I got the car back together my check engine light was still on and did not go out after about a minute idle.Codes indicated a history not current code. I deleted the code and will see if it reapears after the car is driven SAT. I hope because the sensor does not have all its threads the light stays out. IF it comes back on Its time to tig weld and rethread. Thanks all for help.
You maybe ok. Glad to hear you got it back together.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2011 | 10:12 PM
  #39  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

The mounting boss is part of the block.

YES,, it can be TIG WELDED!!! You will use 4340 Tig rod and a high frequency Tig welder. It will need to be welded at 200-240 amps as my starter boss needed 180-190 amps AC. My buddy Charlie just happened to have the very welder that I needed!!

After looking back,,Its really NOT a complicated process. The right tools and skills and it will be as good as new

REMEMBER!! Anytime you weld on a car... DISCONNECT the battery!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2011 | 09:57 AM
  #40  
Eric D's Avatar
Eric D
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
The mounting boss is part of the block.

YES,, it can be TIG WELDED!!! You will use 4340 Tig rod and a high frequency Tig welder. It will need to be welded at 200-240 amps as my starter boss needed 180-190 amps AC.

REMEMBER!! Anytime you weld on a car... DISCONNECT the battery!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill
There are only two welders I would consider to repair a LS block. They are the Miller Dynasty or the Miller Aerowave. Both are designed with aluminum alloys in mind. A very skilled welder can use other machines, like the syncrowave, but someone like me that can weld but doesn't do it enough to be super at it, can fake my way by using a better unit to weld with. The frequency that Bill spoke of controls the arc cone size. The higher the frequency to tighter the arc cone keeping the heat area smaller. As Bill suggested you want to disconnect the battery and ground the welder as close to the weld location as possible.

With some luck the partial thread attachment will work with the OP knock sensor and no welding will be needed.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:05 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE