Well I went through the process and replaced my Optispark. Trouble is things didn't run right afterwards. I checked and double checked spark plug wires and would be positive they are right except for the car running bad.

I have a hard time starting it and when it starts it runs real rough. I am concerned that I didn't get the new Optispark lined up with the pin right, although it went on without forcing and I did pay attention to alignment.

Is it possible to have the Optispark "misaligned" and the car run at all? When I pull it apart do I just have to make sure to get the locator pin in the slot for proper timing or is there something I have to do to get to TDC, etc?

Car is '95 Z 85K miles

P.S. Lesson to self. Check plug wires first. While removing the Optispark I learned my coil wire was badly corroded. May have been my only problem. The problem I had was hard or impossible starting especially in wet weather and bad miss at high RPM.

 

As long as you line the pin up with the special slot, you are good. The pin does not have to be in any certain position or the engine at any particular cylinder TDC. People put them on wrong all the time and the engine will run poorly.

 

Did you get a NEW opti or a rebuilt one?

 

Thanks Shoebox. Any idea if I might have messed up the Opti? I'm guessing not since it happens often and since I didn't run it long. Minute or two at most.

I bought a new one (as far as I know) from Jason Cromer, FWB

 

I'm on my second opti. Bought a GM opti from Summit, and it broke in one month. Car ran strong and then quit. Same problem, opti part is OK, gm rotor is garbage. I'm machining my own design. It won't break again.

 

You're probably ok. Just look to see if the dowel is sitting in the "clover leaf" area instead of the slot it is supposed to be in. As long as the dowel pin is/was not pushing hard on the back of the drive mechanism, it should be ok.

 

It's tricky to get that opti alligned correctly. I just did mine over the weekend and had a hell of a time getting the sucker alligned. The first couple tries I think I was just off and the opti was sticking out less then an 1/8th of a inch...enough to make you think it was on right. But when I finally lined it up, it fit right in, no gap between the block and opti. Running strong like bull!

Good luck mate!
-mj

 

Thanks all for the replys. I intend to take care of it this weekend. I miss my Z!

 

If you pull your opti back off, take a small piece of playdough ($1.99 at K-mart) and put down in the hole where your dowel pin goes.

Put the opti on until it bottoms out on the block, pull the opti back off, and see how thick the play dough is in the bottom of the hole. (Opti side)

It doesn't take much clearance, just as long as the pin doesn't squeeze all the dough out and you see metal again.

On the "clover leaf", there is one hole that looks more square than the others, this is where your dowel pin goes. (I'm not giving lessons, I'm just making sure that you know this)

I know with aftermarket cams, you HAVE to check the dowel pin. I went through 2, and by my 3rd one, I was ready to go crazy.

D Moss

 

Well I redid the Optispark today. It runs great! Thanks for the help and encouragement. Biggest frustration was trying to find two water pump gaskets. I went to four different places and finally found two at an Autozone across town. I also had to replace the starter as the solenoid quit working but thankfully the starter was under warranty as I had replaced it about a year ago. Sometimes it pays to shop regularly at Autozone.

Anyway thought I'd post an update.

 

On the Optispark "dowel" there are 3 slots... 2 of them are notched... wouldn't it be idiot proof for the Pin on the cam not to allign into it's slot?? Or is it possible for the Pin to fit into the "notched" slots on the opti dowel? Just curious.. looked to me like it could only fit into the slot designed for it...

 

the pin will fit in one of the other two holes. Been there done that.