optispark

[mike t]

After lots of research on the topic of optispark repalcement one really important question remains and to me makes this job a nightmare or a breeze. Removal of the crankshaft balancer is necessery for removal of the optispark that is a given but is it necessery to remove the snout which is pressed on crankshaft. Most have indicated that removal of the snout requires a special tool or damage may occur. The tool cost about $250. Also suggested was the fact that if only the optispark was to be replaced and not timing chain or cover there was no need to remove the snout and looking at the layout and access this would seem to be the case. Am I correct in this assummption. Than you.

 

[Vis Croceus]

You don't need to remove the "snout."

You do need to invest in a shop manual.

 

[BlackNBlue95]

You don't need to remove the "snout."

You do need to invest in a shop manual.

This is true about the manual, it's def. the best thing for a DIYer. Buy the GM manual not a hayes manual.
-=Rick

 

[C4CRAZY787]

This is true about the manual, it's def. the best thing for a DIYer. Buy the GM manual not a hayes manual.
-=Rick

Heres where you can get the manual, www.helminc.com
As for removing the balancer from the hub- "snout" spray down the center with WD-40 a day before you plan to do the work. Then remove the 3 bolts in the center, if it does not come off then reinstall one bolt lose, then from below and behind use a long thin piece wood and a hammer and tap inside the balancer ring a few times then rotate the engine, tap some more, repeat until balancer is lose.
Heres a pic of the balancer and hub, http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/photopost/data/652/997painted-damper01-med.JPG

 

[74bigblock]

Just put some tape on it... it will be fine.

 

[LT4man]

Mike,
You might want to check out this site: http://www.delteq.com They make a replacement system for the optispark which includes 4 ignition coils and eliminates the optispark distributor. You might know about them already. I have the original opti in my LT4. If I ever get to the point of replacing the opti, I have seriously considered doing the Delteq swap. For one thing, it makes changing the ignition wires a breeze. I just replaced my wires and let me tell you it was quite an education. And I have worked as a tech for over 20 years! At any rate, good luck with your job. Let us know how it turns out.
Save the Wave!

 

[94conv.]

IF your going to replace the optispak then spend the extra and get the dyna spark, if at least you dealing with a 94 or earlier model. the only issue with the balancer is getting it off and that usually requires getting underneath it with a brass bar or 2x4 and tapping it off, I was really nervous about this but it went pretty smooth, and once the crank pulley came off the rest was a breeze. you have to loosen the power steering from the block to make room for the new plug wires and the optispark or dynaspark should only go on one way the every thing just bolts back on, you do have to remove or should, the tension pulley but thats not a big deal

 

[mike t]

Thank you all for the help, the dynaspark is a must. I just have to assemble the bits and parts and get into the thing. I only wish I had got involved with corvetts sooner. These cars are so very special I can see why people love their cars so much. Just to hear hear this car start up alone is a rush.

 

[White LT1]

Go easy

Just replaced my opti. In fact still working on it. Had no problem removing the balancer. After reading the post on this WEB page I was really worried about it. I don’t think a 2 X 4 will fit in their, I used a jack handle and just tapped it on both sides from the oil pan, from the top I pried it with a long screw driver, wedged against the old opti. Just go slow and easy, don’t get it side ways. When it does come loose watch for the arrow on the balancer and the line on the mount. It’s got to be put back in the same position.

I went with the Dynotech opti $613 sitting at my door, AC Delco water pump $187 local parts store, and AC Delco plug wires $87. The hardest part was replacing the plug wires.

 

[mike t]

Fantastic, good job I can see from you location you do not have to shovel snow, well here in MA we are about to have some more and working outside in the shed at 20F sucks. This winter is bad and wants to stay all is on hold till it warms up. Thank you.

 

[White LT1]

Not shoveling snow, but I did edge and cut the grass today. Temperature was in the mid 70’s, sun pounding down. Biker weekend was a great success; just cool enough so they could wear their leather.

My Opti replacement went very smooth. The snout did show some surface rust and this car has never been out of Central Florida. If you do have problems with the balancer just keep tapping it and soak it in WD40. Eventual it will start to wiggle.

Remove the front wheels, sure makes things easy. I blasted the front of the motor with degreaser and water before and during the job. Been looking at the road grim for two years and was scared to clean it. Destroyed the throttle position sensor doing this. It was worth it, the motor is clean and shines.

My Opti never failed, the water pump crapped out. Cars got 88K on it and I figured it would fail soon. The original Opti was covered in road grim and oils. Everything I’d read sounded bad “hot humid climate” “ VER 1.0 of the Opti”. The Dynaspark is nice, but expensive. Installing was easy. I didn’t use their supplied key way. Just turn the crank till the white line on the old distributor shaft was straight up. You can see the crooked teeth, these teeth match up with the new distributor shaft. New distributor just slid in, no popping sound like their manual said. The vacuum hoses and wire harness were straight forward, pictures and instructions clear.

These cars are well engineered and a pleasure work on. Everything is tight but not impossible.

 

[LT4man]

White LT1,
You said the "magic words" : water pump. The water pump has GOT to be the #1 cause of the optisparks crapping out. I was SOOOO lucky with mine. Being that I look under my hood at least once a day, sometimes more during the driving season, I noticed the tell-tale drip of my orange anti-freeze. If I wasn't so obsessive about my car, I probably would never have noticed the leak. My car was still under an extended warranty so replacing the pump was a no-brainer. Took it to my favorite dealership (Woodfield Chevy in Schaumburg, IL: about 20 miles from my home) because their techs were really into vettes. That was about three years ago. All has been fine since. I did replace my ignition wires last fall, but that is a story for another time!
Save the Wave!

 

[mike t]

Fantastic people here, all this advice is helping me have the courage to tackle this job myself. I know it would be done right. I feel at 60k the waterpump will start to go just when I need the car and in case of the corvette it takes out the ignition as well. More F*&%# snow on the way. Got to move, dont even like to ski anymore, keep getting bashed up. lusting for the the sunbelt.

 

[White LT1]

Lusting for the Sunbelt

Your C4 will handle very well in a hurricane. With Jeanne bearing down on us, mother didn’t want to miss this one. She fly’s in from Canada. Orlando closed, 60 mph cross winds. So mom finds a flight into St. Pete. Traffic was light coming back, but people were all over the road. Stop to eat in Lakeland and could see why. The wind was really gusting hard, never knew it in the vette.

Sun Belt, 17 days with out power. 5500 watt generator won’t push central AC. 96 degrees 98 percent humidly and no AC, plenty of heavy lifting to do.

 

[mike t]

OK cut back on the lust. pray for sun. Another storm Friday, will take a week to dig the vette out, never mind starting the thing. Miss not being able to drive the car. Thanx for all the help.