Optispark install

[bohms]

I pulled my 93 optispark out and I'm about to install the new one. To line up the splines on the shaft are no problum but what I'm wondering is if its possable to be 180 out when installing this thing. Any help on this would be great

Thanks

Dan

 

[rrhayden]

From what I understand it will only go on one way, I have the job to do on mine also, but i am sure others will chime in. Did you have any dificulty removing the crank pully?

Thanks
Ron

 

[bohms]

Crank pulley

I didn't remove the crank pulley. I unbolted the optispark and with a needle nose plyers with tape on the end I positioned the shaft back into the engine side and the optispark came right out. Now I'm sure it's not going to install that easy but the little bit of hassell there looks easer then the crank pulley with no room infront of the darn thing..

Dan

 

[bohms]

180 out

Well I got the optispark in and everybody is right it can only go in one way. I test started the vette and its happy again Now on to the water pump with the new 160 thermostat.. off to play

Dan

 

[rrhayden]

Good Job Dan !!!!!!! Glad to here she runns better. Did you open the old one? how did it look inside.

 

[bohms]

Open Up

Well water pump installed 70/50 mix antifreeze 160 Hypertec thermo Installed it's back ready to take on the Az heat 105 todayad . . Test drove Like it did 5yr's ago when I bought it. Worked out great for the fact that it broke at least I Got a chance to totally de grease the motor since the moistier sensetive part is already soaked. I haven't taken the old one apart yet.. I do know its full of antifreeze cause I shacked it and thats what comes out. The thing does have 118000 miles on it and has gotten wet before just never from the water pump weep hole another GM Optispark marval. Will let you know what it looks like and will try some pics. Thanks for responding and If you need help on yours, post or e-mail me and I'll be more then happy to tell you how I replaced mine..

Dan

 

[bnhynum]

Replacing mine today too on my 95. Removed all the parts and cleaned it yesterday. Took the old Opti-Spark apart last night. Rusty build up on the points cannot be good.

 

[rrhayden]

Thanks for all the insight into the process. My car has been surging and has a slight miss, and I am fairly sure it is the opti. From what I have read the failier mode is the optical wheel getting rusty and blocking the light beam.


I am changing the plug wires so I thought I would remove the opti, and give it a good cleaning, and then seal it where the cap meets the housing.

What I did not know was thet you can remove it without taking the crank pully off.

 

[bnhynum]

Well I got the optispark in and everybody is right it can only go in one way. I test started the vette and its happy again Now on to the water pump with the new 160 thermostat.. off to play

Dan

Is it possible to start the engine without the water pump, belt and TB? I have the Opti and all the cables and wires installed, but will not start. Do I need something else installed?

 

[grapeknutz]

Replacing mine today too on my 95. Removed all the parts and cleaned it yesterday. Took the old Opti-Spark apart last night. Rusty build up on the points cannot be good.

POINTS???????

 

[bohms]

Starting

Is it possible to start the engine without the water pump, belt and TB? I have the Opti and all the cables and wires installed, but will not start. Do I need something else installed?

When I did the job on my 93 I pulled the air intake tube, released the belt,took the water pump off Then the opti spark. I understand that the 95-96 opti-spark is designed differant so getting away with not taking the crank pulley off may not work. I do beleave that I read some where that the air pump needs to come off but the only thing I found there was a bolt for the water pump that was easely gotten to with a 9/16th woobly with a extention. I put the opti-spark in put the belt back on and started it. Now the vette started a little rough cause the computer thinks the motor temp is 145 due to the water pump not being there so there is no sensor. I only ran it for about 30 sec just enough to know that the optispark worked. You need the belt and the TB (awsumming you mean "throttle body") to start the engine. By the way I ran the vette today and at 106 temp outside the hottest the car got was 200 with the A/C running. It's happy

I hope this helps

Dan

 

[bnhynum]

Got It

Thanks for your reply. Your success has got me motivated to move on. Look forward to beating the Texas heat. I just turned over the engine, I am pleased with the sound. The problem turned out to be the 4-pin PCM connector was not seating correctly in the distributor. WARNING TO ALL. Check the 4 pins on the new distributor before installing. 2 of the pins were bent and broke the plastic protector for the PCM connector. Little fab work, pin straighting and reinstall of distributor (getting good at lining that thing up on the cam) and she fired right up. I'll let you know how the rest goes.

 

[bohms]

Great

Isn't great when it runs, it just makes it all worth it, wait tell you drive it mine was like new again. I also sealed the top of my opti and all around the ecm connector with high temp rtv. I don't know if it will help keep the moister out but I had to do something.

Dan