[thinwhiteduke]

G'day all, does anyone know how to rig up a knock sensor system on a sbc gen 1? , however crude ... Is a computer needed? ... Maybe a stethoscope with an extension , or a mic with a little amp and earphones would work, I dunno?
I never done it before, I see summit has knock sensor sender units, but are they just for gen 2 and 3's ? Heads are world sportsman two's..

Any u guys been faced with this task before?

All ideas welcome,

Thanks,



Duke

[vinniekq2]

have you talked to AP72? he does all kinds of auto wrecker wiring

[thinwhiteduke]

thanks Vinnie, I'll swing the question his way...!


Duke

[gearheadslife]

gen I 305/350's had them.. but where computer controlled..
my basic ccc 305 in my 86SS has one..
the TPI and tbi engines also did..
most likely could wire it to a relay to trip a msd timing retard box.. the relay acting as the on/off switch..

[thinwhiteduke]

thanks gearhead, but I just got HEI, no box.
Maybe I'm screwed???


Duke

[thinwhiteduke]

I'm not that concerned with controlling it ( by way of ignition retard ) ,
I just want to make sure I can HEAR it if its happening!!
I can't hear squat ATM and I'm 99.9% sure it's not detonating, just thought it might be cool to have some type of indication or amplification , so as to be aware.. Thanks


Duke

[gearheadslife]

Originally Posted by thinwhiteduke

I'm not that concerned with controlling it ( by way of ignition retard ) ,
I just want to make sure I can HEAR it if its happening!!
I can't hear squat ATM and I'm 99.9% sure it's not detonating, just thought it might be cool to have some type of indication or amplification , so as to be aware.. Thanks


Duke

WIRE IT TO RELAY AS ON/OFF trigger to a idiot light in dash.. it'll light when you are knock'n boots in engine

[thinwhiteduke]

Originally Posted by gearheadslife

WIRE IT TO RELAY AS ON/OFF trigger to a idiot light in dash.. it'll light when you are knock'n boots in engine

Wire what? Are you talkin bout wiring a knock sensor? Pardon my ignorance, I CAN wire stuff, but I got nothin to wire ATM.
Assuming that yor saying to wire a knock sensor, where does that go? In the head I guess..do I have to tap a hole?or does it go in one of the water plug holes, just like a temp sender unit?
Sorry if I come across as 'dumb', please bear with me, I'm living in the past...LOL
I have never even seen such a beast ( knock sensor).

Thanks for you help..

Duke

[gearheadslife]

THEY GO IN THE block.. the sensor for a 305 is different than a 350
if you have aftermarket parts they can set them off..
you have to torque the sensor per factory manual

I'd have to look to see how they are wired.. to know what terminal to hook it to on relay

[spinn]

here is a page of diy knock sensor info.

[thinwhiteduke]

Thanks Spinn, that's helpful, it's the right price!,... And something I could handle..I'm studying that.

Duke

[thinwhiteduke]

Originally Posted by gearheadslife

THEY GO IN THE block.. the sensor for a 305 is different than a 350
if you have aftermarket parts they can set them off..
you have to torque the sensor per factory manual

I'd have to look to see how they are wired.. to know what terminal to hook it to on relay

Thanks gearhead, everything is aftermarket , bar the block, crank and rods.
It's starting to look like I might be need ing some form of computer .
I'm learning, so that's always a good thing!

Duke

[F-BIRD'88]

DIY Detonation detector

and amplified engine ears ( part II)

I built these simple low cost but effective engine ears using similar stuff as the article shows, that I sourced from Radio Shack, here. They work. Clip the mic to a bolt or...on the side of the engine block near the frost plugs.

AutoSpeed - DIY Detonation Detection - Part 1
AutoSpeed - DIY Detonation Detection - Part 2

reference Radio Shack PN 33-1096

[thinwhiteduke]

Thankyou VERY much f,bird. That's EXACTLY the kind of system I had in my mind, simple amplifier, it's just gotta work!
BTW what tranny you running in you car, is the a two speed or three speed?
Looks real quick on the u-tube vid, 👍 what's your q/mile?

Duke

[ap72]

Sorry I took so long to reply, got distracted. The links provided give you a good DIY start, BUT without tying it into computer controlled fuel/ignition you're very limited on how useful it will be. It can work as an "idiot light" so to speak but not really useful for tuning.

Also it is very easy to get a false reading with aftermarket valvetrain or sometimes pistons or a very worn engine block.

You may be better off just tuning it the "old fashioned way" with plug reading, vacuum reading, and some common sense starting points.