I'm getting my opti and cap and rotor replaced for the second time. If anyone has any pointers on how to keep it from getting wet, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

Blake

 

When I did mine, I pulled the block plug on the driver's side to help drain the block even more.

 

Sandman, where on the block is that located exactly? Also, is that something that you leave out or do you take it out periodically?

 

I pulled it out, left it draining while I worked, then applied PTFE paste and put it back in. Only time I have ever taken it out, but like you, I wanted to make sure not to drown the opti.

 

Ok, thanks for the pic. I'm actually having my mechanic do mine so this probably won't apply to me as much. What is PTFE paste btw? I asked my mechanic if there was some sort of housing that could protect the opti from water and such, he's worked on numerous LT1s and he said he's never seen anything like that. Has anyone had any success with anything else? I've heard of guys using RTV sealant and having some success with that. I've got some liquid wrench clear silicone spray, could that possibly work?

 

Teflon Paste (PTFE)

 

Thanks for clarifying, that, sandman. First time I had heard that acronym.

 

you could fabricate some sort of shroud around it, I think sandman is giving you ideas on how to not soak it when replacing it... as for how effective a shroud would be is up in the air...I would look into possibly converting to the vented opti, the vent helps to remove moisture

 

Correct.

A few people here have also tapped the weep hole and added a nipple with a length of hose to drain away from the opti when the weep starts.

 

Ok, that sounds like something that could potentially be up my alley. Has anyone done this or could anyone possibly direct me to someone who has? Or does anyone have any pics of this? Griderman, what do you think would be a potentially good material to make some sort of shroud out of? I appreciate all your guys' help, you've def helped get the wheels turning in my head for this

 

Get an MSD cap and rotor yo convert your 94 to vented, if it is killing caps and rotors ozone is the likely cause not water.
A little water/antifreeze wont kill a cap and rotor, might make it run bad while they are wet internally but wont kill the cap and rotor. All I have ever done to "waterproof" an opti is put a little dielectric grease on the weatherpak seal and assemble it correctly, I have put a LOT of miles on optis too.

 

The MSD cap/rotor will be my next step if any other issues arise, I'm just looking for any kind of preventative maintenance I might be able to do on this so as to avoid the need for having it replaced again. I have to admit, this is the first time I've heard of ozone being an issue with optis. How is ozone a threat?

 

Anytime a strong electrical arc passes through atmosphere ozone gas is created. Ozone is very reactive and promotes corrosion. Every distributor has to deal with the ozone - the optispark's method is the vacuum evacuation system. If the lines become plugged, the backflow prevention valve or flow reducer become plugged and vacuum no longer reaches the optispark it can promote the build up of corrosion causing opti failure.

 

This was why the vented opti was put on later models because the unvented one did not address the ozone buildup. A 94 f-body came with an unvented opti as did the same year and earlier Vettes and other f-bodies.
Just incase it comes up in a search the b-bodies, even the 94s got the vented opti.

You could probably get creative and modify what you have to make it vented.

Just to be clear I recommended the MSD because that cap includes a vent system, NOT because I feel it is some grand upgrade otherwise. I have used the MSD but there is currently a stock cap and rotor on the car.

 

The 93-94 optis actually were vented but very poorly, with a few small holes drilled in the backing plates. This didn't help much because O3 is heavier than air, so the ozone would just sit in the cap/rotor. Hence the superior vacuum draw venting of the 95+ models.