Hello, mistakenly removed old opti spark distributor without noting position key and pin locations. One key on new opti is squared off vs. the other two, is this key that pin is set into?

 

From Shoebox:

http://shbox.com/1/opti_back.jpg

Make absolutely sure the dowel pin is in the right slot.- about 10% of the installs go wrong at this point.

Make sure Opti seats firmly against the timing cover. DO NOT PULL IT DOWN TIGHT WITH THE BOLTS.<-- This would be s sign the pin is not in the right slot.

What brand? Did you Loc-Tite the rotor screws? Not unusual fort hem to come loose.

 

Additional info from Shoebox that may prove useful:

http://shbox.com/1/opti_cyl.jpg

http://shbox.com/1/opti_vacuum_harness.jpg

http://shbox.com/ci/opti_vent.jpg

4th Gen LT1 F-body Tech Articles

 

I would also clean up the front cover and see if the oil is from the pump seal. If so, take the opportunity to replace that now while things are apart. Also note there is a tool (or home made tool) to install the seal correctly. Basically this (towards the end with the Sharpe).

 

I'm going to move this to “LT1 Based Engine Tech”.

Nobody seems to follow these regional forums any more.

 

I replaced the seal mentioned earlier. It was so tight it looked like it would never fit. I read somewhere that freezing it made it just shrink enough to go in without ruining it. It was still tight but I was able to get it on with a little work. I was worried about putting it on wrong even noting the position when removing the old one. I used an MSD pro billet so it looked slightly different. It took a while to get it to slide on smooth. It was obvious to me once it was correct. This is something you want to do once so take your time.

 

Fred, new opti is delco, which of three slots does dowel pin seat in?

 

never mind the links you added are very helpful

 

OP

replace the opti seal in the TC and the WP drive seal also. Both install "dry"

 

install went well on saturday, but will not turn over... any questions and suggestions are welcome!

TZ

 

Define "turn over"..... some people use that with reference to the starter cranking the engine, others use that to describe the engine actually starting to run.

Why did you replace the Opti? Was the engine not starting, or was it running, but poorly? What diagnostic work did you do before deciding to replace the Opti? Did you scan the PCM for codes before deciding to replace?

 

Starter is cranking, engine will not start to run.

Engine was not starting, confirmed spark, fuel and compression which led thinking that it was opti. had not pulled codes from pcm for this issue.

 

If you have confirmed spark, how is your fuel pressure looking?

 

If you had spark and injectors working (not just fuel pressure), it wasn’t the Opti. The PCM needs the Opti cam position signals to fire the plugs and injectors.

 

... thanks very much, we're double checking that there is still spark. just to be sure and review - the opti for that year? if dowel pin is in correct slot, it TDC does not matter, correct? the new dist. went great, next to do is plugs and wire. TZ