I pulled off my crank hub to do a timing cover gasket and there was a mark in the hub but no key? It had a underdrive pulley thus it had been pulled before and lost? Is it required? Where can I get one? any tips on ensuring everything is lined up right on a opti install? I don't want to pull it apart cuz I missed something?
THANKS Shawn

 

I just got done 2 weeks ago replacing my opti. There is no key but my balancer had a lil arrow on the side if thats any help at all. the hub just had a little mark on it that I hit with chalk just to make sure it went back at least close to where it was at. You can only really get the balancer on one way cuz the 3 bolts need to line up. As far as the opti the little gear that goes into the opti and into the middle of the timing cover have a keyed spline. SO #1 make sure you put the gear into the opti right just look in and make sure the keyed part goes in smooth. don't force it in. And # 2 with the cap off the opti just turn on the rotor lightly till you feel the other sid of the gear fall back into the timing cover. Besides that it's not har unless you make it yourself. just take your time and make sure that keyed splined gear goes in the right way.


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93 formula
all stock with a magnaflow and cut-out to come.

 

LT-1's don't have a balancer key.The balancer and hub can be installed in any direction as it is "0" balanced.

 

thanks alot guys! Is there another way to ensure the pin went in right without taking the cap off? no lube on that seal either right?

 

To be honest with you, you have to take the cap off to turn the rotor which in turn, turns the gear as you pu it into the timing cover you'll never know if the gear goes in right with out lightly turning the rotor a lil bit just to feel it fall into the keyed slot on the inside. As far as lube on the seal I put a small amount of silicon on but just enough to smear around the outside cuz I didn't want to get any insode the opti. Good luck if you havben't done it already...

Mat

 

remaxracer45:

You might want to clarify which year LT1 you have. You are taling about a pin drive, which appears to indicate you have a 95-97 vented Opti, while omatter67 is talking about the splined shaft used to drive the 92-94 unvented units.

 

The factory recomends you put #1 on TDC and install the arrow straight up, the key groove should be at about 2 o clock.

 

Also you do NOT have to 'take the cap off etc' [as stated in omatter67 's post]to index an early opti.. I have done many and no prob if you use a gentle touch.. either it slides in.. or it doesn't.. DON'T force it..ever..

I find the best way is to insert the drive shaft into the timing voer and 'index it' ..make a mental note of the 'o'clock' of the index notch[missing tooth] and then insert the shaft into the opti, turn it to the 'o'clock' that the cam gear is at, then GENTLY insert into the timing cover.. trying repeatedly til it slides right in all the way with little resistance.. it'll go just use a bit of patience to get it just right..