If the knock sensor is activated and the timing gets retarded, should it not trigger a ses light every time???
Just curious. I'm trying to figure out why my 2nd '91 Z falls flat on its face.
There is some noise from the 157k mile 305, but I'm not getting a ses and there are no codes.

 

The "knock" triggering the Knock sensor and retarding your timing isnt going to set a SES in most cases.. It is just a monitoring tool..

could your problem maybe be that your cam is a little worn? ALSO- try going w/ premium fuel and see what happens..

My car only preforms a "knock" when it backfires through the straight pipes that are on it right now.. I can see this via my real time Diagnostic scan tool its a SnapOn MT 2500.. A very versitile tool- A $1600 setup. Ive seen them go on E-bay for like $200 w/ spare cartridges..

I could probably say more, but since im just a senior in high school i dont want to say something wrong and make myself sound like a complete moron..

Also- I've got a 86 305 with 127k on it that ran great. mechanically very sound, just burned a lil oil.. Someone told me to change the PCV valve and it'd probably stop.. but I went ahead and swapped my 358 w/ vortec's into my car..