car is the 96z28, is it straight foward to change both sensors, and when should i change them, no ses light coming on but my gas mileage is going down, any hints on installing them whould be great thanks chas

 

Do NOT use a crescent wrench or any other kind of open ended wrench. Use an O2 sensor socket, and then use an open ended wrench on the end of that if the room is tight. And use anti-seize when you replace them. Its pretty straightforward, but being a 96 you WILL need to drop the drivers side Y at least, if not the passenger side also.

 

bah. use a 7/8" wrench on it. no need for a special socket.

 

will i have to drop the y pipe or can i sneak in there and take it off

 

I often wondered about when to change them also. I have 237K on my 94 (That's right, 237,000 miles!) and the gas mileage is still as good as new. Never had an SES related to the O2 sensor. What is the recommendation for how often to change them?

 

you have a cam in a car w/ 237K?? Damn, you're my hero man. i have 175K and just started modding... didn't know if it was a good idea to cam it..

 

Driver's side should be no problem, on the passenger side, I was able to get to it by removing the starter--however, some people are able to get to them from the top. I was able to get mine off with a 7/8 wrench--but I'd imagine it'd be easier with an O2 Socket.

 

Seriously, save yourself the aggrivation and get the right socket.

 

I had to drop the Y-pipe on mine. I tried to get around it every possible way. In the end I just couldnt fit my arm through anywhere.

Also, get the ACDelcos, not the Boschs.

 

who sells that o2 socket?

 

The AC Delco O2's come with the anti-sieze on the threads already. Plug and play.

As for the O2 socket, I've never used one. I just used a regular wrench (I've removed and reinstalled my y-pipe & O2's about 500 times over the last year ), don't go WWE style on tightening them, just snug them down good and you'll be fine. If you're hell bent on the socket, one of the local Autozone, Poop Boys, etc. should have it.

 

"Poop Boys" ok thanks

 

I put it in around 190K when thestock cam and/or lifter in the #1 cylinder went bad. Starting making a ticking sound. The guy at SDPC2000.com told me no problem and it really made a nice kick in the pants. I take good care of this car because I plant to keep for another 20 years. Bought it new and LOVE it!

 

DEFINITELY get an O2 socket.
Not necessary for either side.

I just changed my 95,000 mile originals the other week. Got the driver's side by simply laying on my back under the car. It's practically staring you in the face.

The passenger side will require dropping the starter only. I got this one from the top using a 6" extension, an 18" extension (might have been a 12" ), and a universal. This one was actually easier than the driver's side.

Don't drop the exhaust, it's simply more aggravation with the factory manifolds / Y pipe. I didn't need to do this and I'm hardly an experienced pro.

I used a breaker bar on both sensors. Also soaked 'em with PB Blaster for a few days. Still couldn't have done it without the O2 socket. Don't be cheap like B-cat.

How's life back east? I'm missing Englishtown / Atco real bad right now.

 

That sucks its hard for some people where it would take me more time to jack up the car then to change the O2s. The joy of LTs. So the AC Delcos already come with anti seize? I hope so because I had to torch them off the old manifolds and dont want them stuck on my headers 10 years down the road.

Oh and an open ended wrench is fine. 7/8 like they say.