Can I run a short dowel pin with a 96-97 vented opti? Here is why I am asking. My stock cam has the long dowel pin. I bought a used cam and it has the shorter pin. I was told by a friend that as long as everything is lined up perfectly you don't even need a dowel pin cause the cam runs off the timing gear/ sprocket. Is this true ?? Would like your opinions. I tried removing them already (PITA) next to impossible. I figure if I don't need one why bother.

Thanks

 

The dowel is what runs the opti. Yes it need to be long ~.620.

 

What Wing said.

The cam dowel pin is what drives the optispark; nothing else. The pin needs to extend about .620" from the camshaft face. Too long, and you'll destroy the rotor inside the optispark. Too short, and you won't drive the optispark.

 

Put the pin in a vise and twist it out. They come out pretty easy and you can just tap a longer dowel pin in.

 

To add to that, make sure you don't maul the pin if you plan on reusing it.

 

I kinda thought the pin was needed but the person who told me has way more experience than I do. Glad I got a second opinion here.

Thanks for your quick responses.

 

The pin is only important for the LT1 vented opti. No other SBC type engine seems to care.