when changing the optispark does the little dowel have to come out and does it only go in one way?

 

The dowel is press-fit into the camshaft, so no it does not come out.

Make sure you align the splines correctly with the key.

 

On a 93 and 94 F-body, the 'dowel' is actually a splined shaft. It is not press fit into the crankshaft..you can pull it right out. It can be put back with either end in but the spline is set up so it should be indexed correctly. Of course, this doesn't mean it can't go in wrong so you have to be careful.

If you look closely at the opti you can see the corresponding teeth which engage the shaft. There is an extra wide tooth that indexes things. The cam is the same way. Slide the shaft into the cam and twist it until you can push it in all the way. Then install the opti over it..the opti will push right down to the timing cover when engaged properly. If you can't push it flush it isn't seated correctly.

 

i was told there was three of the extre wide tooth on the spline but if put in wrong it will be put out of time won't it?

 

There is only 1 master spline. (wide spline)

 

1 wide tooth, not three.If you install it wrong it will screw up the timing and may not even run.....

 

A picture might help...
http://shbox.com/1/93-94_opti.jpg