Changing my crank shaft sensor

i have a 92 cutlass ciera v6 i am tryin to change the crank sensor and need to know how i will move the engine to get to the sensor. i have heard take out the dog bones and then rotate it forward but i do not no where the dog bones are located and what they look like and once i take them off do i just pull the engine forward. so someone please give me a couple hints on how i should go about this.-Dillon

I need to know what size motor you have. If you have the 3.1L then your crank sensor is located at the back of the engine. It is located in the middle of the engine block, secured by one 8mm bolt and two wires attach into it. You should rotate it and saturate it with a penetrating oil to make removal easier. The dog bones are the upper front engine mounts that keep the motor from moving forward or backward in the engine compartment. However if you have the 3.3L, 3.0L, or the 3.8L motors, the crank sensor is located behind the harmonic balencer pulley. You will need an air impact gun with a large enough socket to remove the bolt. The harmonic balencer pulley slides right off and the sensor is located to the right of the crank. The sensor has to be adjusted so that the metal teeth on the balancer pulley do not hit the sensor. You will understand once you try and reinstall the pulley. Make sure you rotate the motor by hand after you install the sensor so that there is NO interference. Hope this gives you a better idea of what your up against. -Chris

By the way....I checked on www.partsamerica.com and found your sensor to be a GP Sorensen part #CSS9 It is also available at any Advance Auto Parts store near you. It is located behind the Harmonic Balencer pulley like I stated above in your 3.3L Good luck. -Chris

I just went through this replacement on a 3.1 MFI engine. It is located right where prievious posts said it would be , on the lower, center rear of the engine block, below the exhaust manifold. I found that in addition to removing the 2 dog bones, then I used a rachet strap to carefully rotate the engine forward about 2-3 inches. Then, disconnect the battery, remove the coolant recovery tank, then completely remove the alternator and mounting bracket. These steps gave me enough room to actually touch the device from the passenger side top. remove the 8mm screw as described and use LOTS of penetrating oil.
Then, I would reccomend carefully twisting/spinning the sensor and CAREFULLY pulling at the same time. If your lucky, it will come right out. if your like me, your going to be carefulling working on this for about an hour, 1 mm at a time. The issue is that about 1 inch sticks inside the engine block and it sems to be prone to crack and swell, so its bigger than the hole your trying to get it through ( basically forms a real plug) .Forcing it out will only break it. but by spinning it as you pull it seemed to get it to all come out. I can only believe that if you break it, you will be SO screwed!
The trick seems to be lots of penetrating oil and keep spinning it, dont try to pull it out too fast.
I would also put some extra rags in the area on all the sharp things that want to grab at your hand while your struggling with it.
I got lucky, mine eventually came out intact. the new one just litteraly slides into place.
Suggestion for future engineers that may be reading this: next time, enclose this device in a metal sleve rather than plastic, it will last longer, be more rugged and you will save tons in warranty time!

I want to replace this on my 3.3L and will need to remove my pulley. will this tool help? It is very expensive and I don't want to buy it if I don't have to. Has anyone done this repair w/o this tool; is it possible to adjust the sensor and rotate the motor by hand?

tool:http://www.etoolcart.com/browseproducts/Crankshaft-Sensor-Checker-J-37089-B.HTML