I've been reading over the install instructions on my headers, and it mentions removing a water temp sensor. What is that? Where is that? And why remove it? It also mentions draining the coolant. why does that matter on a header install?

 

Hmm, I believe on the LT1 it's on the driver's side between plugs #1 and #3. Either those two or between #3 and #5. At any rate, there's a little electrical connector attached to it that you unplug and then just "socket" the sensor completely out. Coolant will drain immediately.

 

ooooohh. . . hence the drain the coolant part. Gotcha thanx

 

The header manufacturers recommend its removal simply because it is so easy to graze it and break the plastic electrical connector body during the header install. However, if you have two people, one on top to guide the header and the other on bottom to push the header up, I think you can avoid hitting the sensor and it will save you some time in not having to take it out. I was on my own during my header install and I did hit and break this sensor,it was a 23.00 part from GM.

 

As stated, the plug is down lower on the block between #1 and #3 on the LT1. I just did headers. Tried as we might, we broke the wire connection end. At the Autoparts store the sensor was known as a "switch"
You don't have to drain the coolant, since you know that the coolant is going to be coming out, you can quickly put your finger over the hole when you pop the damage one out, and then quickly move your finger to install the new one. We only had a few drops lost. But if you're not quick...

 

You can always count on Shoebox to have a picture:

http://shbox.com/1/temp_sensor2.jpg