Is there any special way I can align my new opti-spark that will gaurentee the timing is right?

 

You started another thread and now no one knows the year of the car, again. Since your last thread says it's a 1994, all you have to do it make sure the splined drive is aligned correctly in the back of the opti and the cam gear.

 

I'll respond since I just had this issue with my new engine. Take the spline out from the opti and press it into the timing gear on the engine at all rotations. For me, the spline went in gently in two positions, and yes, only one was correct. When you find that spot, rememeber where it is.

Take the spline out and insert it into the opti looking at the proper timing marks, this part is easy. Spin it so it will line up with where it's supposed to go onto the timing cover. The opti spline should "fall in" without resistance when to put it the timing hole. When this happens, hold the opti on flush and tighten the outer screws so it stays flush before tightening the bolts.

This is what worked for me as I was unable to look into the timing hole. If the motor is out of the car or you have enough room to look into the hole at eye level, then process will be MUCH easier.

 

yea but how do you know, of the two positions which was the correct one?

 

There is only one CORRECT position, and if there are 'two' it's probably caused by someone previously FORCING it into the wrong spline.. [in other words his '2 position' spline is not the norm, there is only one 'missing tooth' on the shaft that indexes]

 

You look at the pic in the link I posted that shows what is correct.

 

If you want technical help, PLEASE add a "signature" with basic info about your car - model, year, engine, trans and any major mods. You're just lucky Shoebox remembered what you responded in an earlier post.

There are significant differences on the LT1 engines, based on the year, etc. If you don't tell people what car you own, you aren't going to get help, or even worse, may get incorrect info.

Click on "User CP" on the red bar at the top of the screen, and go from there.

 

If it's a 94 as suggested the splined shaft is keyed. It will only go one there one way without forcing it.

 

Unfortunately, many people have managed to assemble it incorrectly without forcing it..... not sure how, but over the years, I'd say between 10-20% of the installs are incorrect.

 

That's a good point, as mine was improperly installed by someone who was not familiar with the opti distributor. Of the two positions, the incorrect one had a slight resistance going in where as the correct position did not.

 

Hey sorry about that guys just set up my sig just now, last night i didn't really have time because i was up till about 4 trying to figure out why my car won't start after my new opti was in. Well after hours of troubleshooting and figuring out everything was put in 100 percent correctly, turns out JEGS sent me a defective optispark. I popped the old one back in and she fired right up. thanks jegs!

 

For future reference, if there is any doubt due to worn key notch or something, when the cam dowel is at 3 o'clock and 6 TDC the notched teeth point straight down.

 

Just like in the pic I posted.

 

Linking to your site gets so tiresome after a while! Guess its still better though - teach 'em to fish instead of given 'em one, eh?