ive got a few opti's and caps in my shop and i need to figure out whats good and bad. i have some brand new opti's so i could put caps on them and install and test but is there an easier way?

 

It's real simple if you have a 12 volts source and an O-scope.
Refer to Shoe's schematic for the opti.
http://shbox.com/1/95_ign_system_schematic.jpg

Put +12 volts on pin "C" and negative on pin "D".

Now look at pins "A" and "B" for the low res and high res square wave when the rotor is turned.

You are concerned with both the level and "sharpness" of the square wave. No "delta" spikes.

With regard to the high voltage side of the unit. There is no method that I am aware of to test it on the bench. I suppose you could use the 12 volt source on the center pin and then move your meter lead to each of the 8 contacts to see if when it spins, there is momentary voltage at the cylinder contacts. Haven't really given the high voltage side much thought.