if you align the dowel pin correctly how can you screw it up, i thought it was a one way deal, all this trouble ive had with my car is because i installed the opti wrong or at least thats what my mechanic says. If any one can enlighten me id figure it would be worth remembering for next time i have to do this.

 

While it may appear impossible to put the dowel pin in the two smaller holes in the back of the Opti, it is very possible to put the dowel in the wrong hole, as proven by numerous people who have posted on these forums.

 

I think putting the dowel pin on wrong pertains mostly to the early 92-93 LT1s with the small dowel pin drive. Its easy to put it on backwards if you don't mark it prior to reinstallation.

 

Also, with the splined drive optis, you can actually respline the shaft. Ask me how I know about this.

 

The 92-94's have the splined driveshaft, and that can easilly be inserted with the splines incorrectly aligned, even though there is a "missing tooth" to assist the correct alignment.

I assure you..... numerous people have managed to assemble the dowel drive 95-97 Opti's the wrong way.

 

I don't like to admit it, but I'm one of them. The car wouldn't start, it just backfired a bit instead.

 

Me too. I went through all kinds of things until I figured out I didn't hit the hole with the dowel pin. I felt like such an idiot.

 

Always helps if you put it in the right hole..........

 

Yes it does.