anyone know details of MC 1 knock sensor operation?

[Livolsi, Stephane]

here's the prob.

Car is my 86 5ktq which has been running generally well, but lately
...sheesh..I have a recurring problem of the engine cutting out,
particularly at lower rpm, high load situation, such as starting out from a
stop sign.
Plugs, cap, rotor, wires all relatively new but not OEM

Fuel pump is 1 yr old Peirburg, nice and quiet, fuel filter about 6 months
old
When I did the pump, there was no evidence of fuel tank liner flaking at
all.

Engine overall sounds ok. some valve ticking with old oil, but nothing
serious.
hydraulic pump is very leaky and noisy  - it's on the list of things to do -
(could that be setting off the knock sensor, he asks)

Recently replaced the lower wastegate hose, and I was quite excited when we
removed the old one because it was clearly in bad, bad shape.  Alas, it did
not cure the problem, although seemed to occur less right after that, but
over the last week the problem has been getting worse and worse.

If it was the knock sensor cutting out the fuel, wouldn't I get the check
engine light and a code stored?

I am certain that either the fuel is getting cut out, or spark is getting
cut off.
I was thinking of hooking up a light to the fuel pump circuit and another to
the ignition circuit that I could see while driving.  That way if the light
flickers, I would know where the problem lies and which system to diagnose.
Has anyone done anything like this, and where would you tap into the
systems?

TIA

Stephane