I wanted to know from anybody in here that might have a labor guide, how many hours does the book call for to replace an optispark? And for the rest of you, how many hours did it take you to do the job yourself?

 

If you already have whatever little bits you needed I wouldn't think any more than 3 hours. The last time we pulled mine off and did the cap and rotor it was around that long.

 

The first time it took like 4 hrs. due mainly to not knowing **** about these cars the 2nd it took me about 2.5 , and the last time it took me 2 hrs. I think every time you do it , of course you will get better naturally, but their is never any reason to rush becouse that 2 hr job may turn into 4 or more just for a lack of patience. All in all I dont find it hard to do now , but when I first looked at it , the thought alone about made me resort to paying someone, but labor is again a ****in huge deterrent on these cars--- . I cannot actually quote you as to what a labor rate you'd be quoted , but the one mechanic that I did take it too before I attempted said about 3.5 hrs of labor was what it would take.

 

If your waterpump hasn't been changed recently, the gasket will most likely be very hard to take off (its in a horrible place). You can spend over half an hour working on getting it all off!
If you have yet to do the TB bypass on your car it may be a good time to do it.

 

The water pump was replaced about 20k miles ago. Do you think it will be hard to remove? What sorts of gaskets and seals am I going to need to do this job?

 

just get a front cover set...like $11 and has all the oil seals and WP gaskets. should have a timing cover gasket too but you won't need it. Unless you want to put a new chain in. You can get that at the dealer for $35 or so....gears should be o.k.

If its your first time probly 4-5 hours at least. If you want the actual book time I can look it up for you, let you know tommorow

 

Thanks man. I would like the actual book time just incase I decide to let somebody else do it. That way I'll know what to expect to have to shell out. (wincing in anticipated pain ) It would be my first time, so I'd imagine I'm looking at the long end of your prediction. I don't have a crank pulley puller either so I'm a little handicapped there. Although I imagine I could rent one at Autozone or something like that.

 

Per Mitchell on Demand

3.0 opti

3.1 Wires

2.0 plugs

And this has gone down it use to be higher.

 

Cool man. So I could potentially get the thing replaced for under 200 labor. It might just be worth it.

 

there is a chrystler puller with 3 push rods and has 3 legs on it. It works perfect for an LT1. I'm sure you can rent it from someplace.

Don't forget when you figure those mitchel times you have overlap....so if you do plugs/wires with it the book time will be less

 

The plugs are less than 20k old and the wires are less than ~5k old so no need to replace them. And with long tubes the plugs wouldn't be much of an issue anyway.

 

I say go for it yourself, its a learning experience
As mentioned, get the puller. You may want a scraper too to help with that damn water pump gasket lol.

 

I'm just sick of working on my cars. Sad as it is to say it, I'm over it for now. I might get back into it later but I'm tiring of fixing stuff. I don't mind mods but fixing stuff sucks.

 

I can swap an opti out in 30-45 minutes, lol... 30 with an electrical water pump and 45 with a stock water pump.

 

30-45 range for me too. With an underdrive pulley, no need to even pull the belt.