So after being down since last October (tear down info), it's alive again! And better than it's ever been!

I got it running last week and have put ~150 miles on it. It's mean! It started up on the first try without any hiccups, even with the gas that was put in last October! It's still running in limp mode because it's throwing code 43 which revolves around the knock sensor. I'm thinking it was messed up because I left it on the block at the machinist's. It came back in a bag, who knows what happened to it.

Anybody changed the knock sensor with coolant still in the block? Anything else I should look for before I change that?


So I built this thing myself without ever pulling a motor before. I have to say, without this msg board I would have been SOL! You guys have to be the best wealth of knowledge. Better than any book!

I'll have pics up soon. Gonna go drive it some!

 

anyone?

 

Once you pull the knock sensor, the coolant won't be in the block much longer.

 

You can change the knock sensor but you are going to lose some coolant. The procedure for draining the block is to drain the radiator and then take out the knock sensor and the matching plug on the other side to completely drain the block. If you are fast, you shouldn't lose more than a quart or so-come to think of it, put a shop vac in the top of the radiator and the partial vacuum will keep any coolant from coming out.

 

First let me say, I do realize that coolant will come out. I just meant is it possible to do it without making a gigantic mess? Or is it just easier to drain the radiator?

 

Since draining the radiator leaves behind only the coolant that can be removed by removing the knock sensor, you are sort of stuck. Try the shop vac trick and you won't lose any.