I know there are a million questions about optisparks on this board a week but I ran into a problem that I've never come across on this board while browsing or searching.

I put a new opti seal in my timing cover today in preperation of getting my engine from Golen and doing the long block assembly later in the week. Once i got it installed i decided to push the optispark into the seal just to see if it fits right. There seems to be a bit more resistance then i would assume it to have. Does it get install with any grease or oil? Anyway, as I was trying to spin the opti with my hand, by spinning the shaft, two small peices broke off.

Looking at it, it dosn't seem to be a very crutial part but it bothers me. I don't want to risk damaging a brand new motor. I also don't want to spend another $300 on a new optispark though. I'm broke as it is with this 383 and this opti ran 100% perfect before i pulled the old motor.

Is there any way i can replace those parts (i have no idea what they're called) or am I screwed and i have to buy a new optispark?

 

I don't have a vented opti, I have an unvented, but I believe those are rubber O rings that have 'ossified'/hardened, and are now 'plastic like'..
That's why they broke like that..
Replace the orings and try again..
Should be a cheap fix..
vented opti Orings GM p/n:10474278
you need 2

 

I changed my opti on my 96Z recently(about 6 months ago).

I didn't use any "oil" or anything, you just line it up and it pops in. I had to struggle for a few minutes though to get it lined up 100% so it would slide in smooth.

My install went smooth car runs like a champ, except for the blown trans yesterday but thats a different story, non-opti related for once

 

Once i posted this i looked in the opti section of my parts manual and saw those seals. They said o-rings so i didn't think they were what i needed. Glad this is an easy fix. I guess i'm gonna take a trip to the dealer tomorrow.

Thanks,
Chris

 

So i left my opti on my desk after i took these pictures. I came back to look at it and now when i pick it up it sounds like something inside is moving around. I'm thinking someone in my house might have dropped it. What inside could have broken, the tip on the rotor? This is depressing.

 

Other than the rotating portion inside the opti, nothing should be loose in it.

 

Something inside seems to be broken off and moving around when i shake it. I'll try and take it apart tomorrow if I have time to see what it is. I found a deal on a new opti on ebay, $243 shipped, $85 less then GMpartsdirect. So i decided to just buy a new one. This whole project started as a simple heads / cam kit. Now i'm over $8k deep in it. This is ridiculous.

 

take the cap off and look inside..
a throttle body cover plate screw double nutted and using vice grips will get the odd Torx screws out..
Dal has optis [GM] for the cheapest prices as far as i know...gmpartsdirect are ripoffs.. ebay? who knows.. might be OK might not..
FWIW I got an opti exchanged that went dead by Dal thru warranty that just went dead after a few months..
unvented is about 305 shipped not sure about unvented.. I'm gonna guess about 230 or so..
it took about 3-4 weeks to get the credit, but I did get it..
I doubt that ebay etc would do that
VanDevere Buick/Pontiac/Olds, Akron, OH
http://vandevere.com
email lockitup@bright.net
Dal Slabaugh: 877-448-5451

 

If worse comes to worse, get an aftermarket opti at Auto Zone or somewhere for about $150, or the cap and rotor if thats what you need. All you need is the t4 or e4 tool that you can't buy anywhere, or just use a small needle nose to take the screws out and put back in. If you have the unvented opti, I suggest you silicone that bad boy to keep the moisture out forsure. Sorry to hear about your bad luck.

 

Snap-on sells the tool to do the job I bought it in 1/4 inch drive for 13.56 several years ago.

I always oil the opti seals (in the cover) up very liberally for installation.

 

Thanks guys. I decided to just spend the extra $100 and get a brand new GM opti from ebay. Figured it's worth the extra money so i don't have to mess with it possibly still not working 100%. Using that reasoning a bunch of times is how this whole project got to be so expensive though lol

383 shortblock showed up today, i'm in a good mood again