pelone

i just purchased a 1994 camaro Z28 with a 5.7 amd 6 speed trans..everything is good but i want to go over everything and was wondering if i should just replace the distributor or just do a cap n rotor-i already bought a water pump-plugs-wires-A/C compressor.

Injuneer

How many miles on it? Original Opti, or a replacement? If a replacement, what brand?

Are there any problems with the way the engine runs that you feel may be related to a failing distributor? Have you done any PCM scans that show DTC 16 or DTC 36 (optical cam position codes)?

pelone

89k miles-looks like original opti-the cars runs good but did slightly overheat the other day-no codes are present at this time.

Injuneer

The 93 and 94 engines have the "unvented" Opti. They are more prone to problems with corrosion, resulting from the ozone buildup, and no way to vent it. You are definitely on the borderline.... 20 years old, 89K miles. One approach might be to pull the cap while you have the water pump off and look for erosion of the rotor tip and cap contacts. You could also pull the rotor and then the sheet metal cover that would expose the optical shutter wheel and the light emitter/resptor module, looking for rust buildup. At that point you could make a decision. You would not know the condition of the bearing that supports the optical wheel and rotor.

To some extent it's a matter of how much you want to gamble. If you do it I would do the complete unit. Just a matter of whether you want to spend close to $400 for the OEM replacement right now, or wait until is fails.

Wish I could give you a more definitive answer.

Chimera96

cap & rotor are maintenance items just like any standard distributor

IIRC MSD makes a "vented" cap version for the non vented older Optis

if there is no abnormal shaft movement of the original Opti, just put on a new MSD cap/rotor

parkers Z28

Be careful when replacing the water pump making sure you don't spill any coolant
on the opti ..... Some people say don't fix it if its not broken...
Imo if the money is there replace it .... Since your already there

pelone

I agree with the thought of I already have everything off so i might as well do it.this car sat for a long time-since i got it last week it seems the more i drive it the better it gets,seems to be starting must faster than before.

smallblockhero58

3 bolts $100 more dollars. I say distributor and cap and button

pelone

I ended up replacing the cap and rotor,A/C compressor,filter/dryer,water pump,spark plugs and wires.I filled the radiator and tried to start the car-it would just crank and not start-first thought i had was that i messed something up.I started looking around and i found that i left the coil harness unplugged,plugged that in and it started right up !that was the most difficult set of plugs/wires i ever changed !

Injuneer

Sounds good.

parkers Z28

Next time I have to replace the plugs & wires in my car I'm going to pay someone
what a pain Lol!! .....maybe it will be a little easier next time