Well, I took apart the Opti today. Is it bad when you can shake it and here parts moving around After pulling apart, it amazed me that it was not the screws. They were on there good and tight so, heat alone can't cause them to back out. Too bad that ROTOR self-destructed. You could see where the rotor dug into the cap. What's weird is the bearing is nice and tight and you could see the burn pattern on the cap post (in the middle) which makes sense because I checked for clearance in the cap and rotor before install (a little silly putty can do wonders). You could also see a upper burn pattern (near the end of the cap). And where the cap rubbed. My guess is sense all clearances checked out and sense the bearing is nice and tight, that some how the cap self destructed (maybe due to centrifugal force placed on it at high rpm). This is the same distributor that never has seen a problem in the past...looks like I'm back too waiting for the new MSD rotor.....The only reason the MSD rubbed the cap was due to loose screws on the rotor....

"mdacton"
Thanks for the info. I was looking for some dry stuff, now if the local parts store carry them ?

 

The opti sees half engine rpms so centrifugal force should not be huring it.

I would sooner guess the rotor was cracked in one of the loose screw episodes and just held together till now.

 

...Well except 'That' rotor never had that problem

 

Guess I skimmed too quickly.

Honestly I think this is another one of those pieces where people are WAY too quick to jump on the aftermarket bandwagon when the stocker works well. Much like the guys who put on as cast Trickflows.

The MSD has some nice features but very few of us can make use of them, it seems like most people buying it are causing problems in an effort to "fix" problems that never existed.

 

My last new GM Opti only lasted a few months. It couldn't handle the RPM I guess.

WD

 

what was your RPM? I have seen a few last a while at 8500. Even know of one now thats an original 94 spline drive with 60K on it hundreds of passes and currently running 9.40's.



BTW whats the update on the MSD?

 

I put the good stocker back on while MSD has my rotor for testing. Sense I've had my LT1, I have never had a rotor fly apart (13 years now), until today. In fact, I have never even heard of one coming apart. My guess is the stress finally took its toll on the rotor. It might have had a flaw from the factory (weak) and just decided to give it up. The stock cap and rotor go back to 2005 and has been sitting for almost a year. On the big plus side, the screws held Got some pictures...I had scrapped down the cap post prior to install. The dual burn pattern on the cap posts tells me that for a while at least, it was working in the correct position. Then for some reason, it pushed in toward the cap Now, I'm not 100% positive of the cause so any ideas are most welcome...

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3064.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3065.jpg

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http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3068.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3070.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3069.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3071.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3072.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3073.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3074.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3075.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3076.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3080.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3079.jpg

http://http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...5/IMG_3078.jpg

It's very possible that if I were just to put in a new stock rotor in, it would be ok, but I'm going to wait for the MSD stuff...The one area that has me concerned is the burn on top of what's left of the rotor. That area did not touch the cap (maybe burn through of the spark?)

 

Here's an update on my “current” MSD Opti problem (high-resolution pulses missing, DTC P0372).

I've removed the MSD and disassembled the distributor.

First the good news; the new rotor screws (slightly longer #6-32 Allen socket-heads with flat washer and red thread-locker) were completely tight! It appears I’ve fixed that problem!

As for the high-resolution pulse problem, visually I couldn’t see any apparent reason for the problem. No damage to, or debris in the strobe wheel and no visual damage to the optical sender/receptor module. Therefore, it appears to be an internal electronic component failure of the optical module and that failure was completely instantaneous during the run Saturday.

I have another new distributor arriving today and will start installing it after work. I’m getting really fast at this, so I should have it done in a few hours. Once it is installed, I’ll know immediately if the high-resolution pulse problem is corrected. Basically, the engine should start immediately (it cranks forever before starting now) and I should be able to clear the P0372 code (currently the code can’t be cleared).

I’ll post the results, hopefully with good news later tonight. Also, I have another NHRA points race this weekend and "must" have my car running again.

Here is a photo of the rotor w/ the longer Allen socket-head screws and flat washer.

WD

 

It’s fixed and running perfect again! The problem was “in fact” the optical sender/receptor module within the MSD Opti. I had determined that was about all it could be to cause the high-resolution pulse problem and P0372 code. I asked MSD to send me a new optical module and harness assembly so I could fix the distributor and they did.

Additionally, I will return the old module to MSD so they can do some failure analysis and possibly prevent a failure of this type in the future. Again, this distributor failure was completely instantaneous, one second the engine was screaming down the track and the next it basically shut-down.

On a more positive note, taking the distributor apart again I did learn my new rotor screws are working great!

WD

 

If you want to lock the screws try clear fingernail polish. It may not have the right ingredient's to not eat up the plastic.

 

The red thread-lock "does not" attack the resin in the MSD rotor. I've checked "very closely" and know this to be correct. However, the blue does have the potential to attack "some" plastics, but I'm not sure about the MSD rotor.

Currently I'm using the red Loctite "stick" thread-locker and it works well. Also, the slightly longer Allen socket-head screws w/ flat washer. And, the rotor stayed tight.

WD

 

Do you happen to have the part number???? Thanks....

 

The Loctite High Strength Red thread-locker stick is #268. You'll need to take your platinum credit card with you, I think I paid over $27.00 for one stick. Ouch!

WD

 

You think that hurts? Try buying the stuff over three onces at a time

The Stick set is damn near $200!

The joys of being a shop owner

 

Thanks for giving us the info on that and the hex screws....Me and Ellis are just waiting on the New design to try out for MSD. Hopefully, I can have that up and running for the next drags....