ITGMw
SUBSCRIPTIONtext
ProgressArrows
digital issues
ProgressArrows
online store
ProgressArrows
SUBSCRIPTIONtext
ITGMw
ACPnew header logo
CTP LOGOs
all cars

Sensors You Need To Replace On Your Junkyard LS

Aftermarket EFI Systems Requires Optimum Sensor Readings

By Ryan Manson   –   Photography by the Author

When it comes to prepping a junkyard LS engine for a new project truck build, one of the first things we like to do is replace all the necessary OEM sensors with the corresponding items from Duralast Parts. These engines, whether clean as a whistle or filthy as a feral cat, don’t tell their true story regarding what’s going on inside and the miles of torture and torment they may have endured.

01 We ordered up an assortment of sensors from Duralast Parts to replace the old sensors on our junkyard LS engine
We ordered up an assortment of sensors from Duralast Parts to replace the old sensors on our junkyard LS engine.

Read More: Best Of Both Worlds: LS Swapped ‘72 K5 Blazer

While the interior of the engine may not be easily inspected, the consumable components on the exterior are easily accessed while the engine is out of the vehicle, something that becomes more difficult after the engine’s installed. Tight, confined space due to firewall clearance can make accessing the cam position and oil pressure sensors a challenge in some trucks, while the low-mounted crank sensor can be hard to access due to various header designs and so on.

02 Damaged sensors from careless removal is not uncommon when it comes to pull out LS engines
We’ll start at the top of the block where the damaged oil pressure sensor sits. Damaged sensors from careless removal is not uncommon when it comes to “pull-out” LS engines.

Read More: Top 10 LS Engines

Built to meet or exceed OE specifications, Duralast’s LS sensors make for great peace of mind insurance before finalizing an engine swap and provide a bulletproof foundation to provide accurate information to the engine’s ECU, whether it’s an OE unit or, like our setup, an aftermarket EFI system from FiTech. While it may seem redundant to replace seemingly good sensors with new, we’ve found that oftentimes these sensors are damaged when the engine is pulled due to operator error and plain old carelessness. In fact, when we inspected our LS engine, we found an oil pressure sensor that was completely broken off. This is one of those sensors that can be hard to access once in the vehicle due to clearance between the intake and the firewall.

03 On many LS engines and all iron block designs the cam position sensor sits at the top of the block next to the factory oil pressure sensor
On many LS engines and all iron-block designs, the cam position sensor sits at the top of the block next to the factory oil pressure sensor. We’ll install both sensors while we’re at it.

Read More: Engine Wiring for LS Engine Swaps

Typically, an LS swap is being made for peace of mind and reliability, so it seems natural to want to ensure that all the necessary components are new and in primo shape from the start. Like a house built on a solid foundation, new, properly functioning sensors from Duralast ensure we won’t be spinning our wheels and chasing our tails trying to track down the reason for a poorly running engine. CTP

04 the oil pressure sensor on the left Duralast PN PS391 and the cam position sensor PN SU1277DG on the right
Here are the two sensors installed in their place, the oil pressure sensor on the left (Duralast PN PS391) and the cam position sensor (PN SU1277DG) on the right.

TECHCENTER

Sources
Duralast Parts
(800) 288-6966
duralastparts.com

FiTech
(951) 340-2624
fitechefi.com

Related Articles

Search Our Site

More Classic Truck Performance

Adam Phaneuf’s 1964 C10 Pays Tribute to a Family Legacy

By Chuck Vranas   -   Images by the Author This is...

Part 6 of The Speedway Motors 1968 C10 Build: The Finale

By Joe McCollough   -   Images by Jason Lubken &...

2024 TMI Products’ TRIM Award Winners Announced

TMI Products, the leader in custom automotive interiors, held...

Brent Mivelaz’s 1963 Ford Unibody F-100

By Fuelish Media From a former emergency response vehicle to...

The Latest and Greatest TIG Welding Torch Cups

By Ron Covell   -   Images by the Author Ron Covell...

Talbert Goldman’s 1990 GMC Sierra OBS Custom

By Rob Fortier   -   Images by NotStock Photography Since he...
More Classic Truck Performance

LS Powered Ford F100

By Scotty Lachenauer   -   Images by the Author  When Kyle...

Part 8: Custom Grille & Taillights on the Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs 1951 Chevy

By Kenneth “Stress Ball” DeKissere   -   Images by Camren...

Shane Dutka’s Tire-Searing ’71 Ford F100 Sport Custom

By Chuck Vranas   -   Images by the Author In a...

Matt de los Cobos’ 1972 Chevy Blazer, a Two-Door Family Funster

By Rob Fortier & the Owner   -   Images by...

LMC 1969 Chevy C10 Fleetside to Stepside Conversion

By Rob Fortier   -   Images by the Author I would...

Kerry “Duck” Cunningham’s 1959 Chevy Apache

By Rob Fortier   -   Images by NotStock Photography In my...