The track record on the MSD doesn't seem to be any better than the factory part, and it costs twice as much. The rotor screws still fall out and require loc-tite before the install, the "adjustable timing" feature is not much use, unless you are trying to adjust for an advanced or retarded cam, and there is no reference to show when it is set at "zero". Over the years, MSD has had to make many running changes to correct for things like a faulty gasket design, and the rotor rubbing on the center dividing cover, shedding red powder all over the insides. Not sure why anyone would want to pay twice as much for it.

 

Couple more questions...

[1] What is best to hold the water pump gaskets on during install? Plan on using a thin spread of grey waterpump RTV on both sides.

[2] Why does the factory manual reference turning the engine to TDC? If I remove the Opti and replace it with a new one without rotating the engine, doesn't seem like I would need to rotate the engine. Here's what it says...

! Important
Do not attempt to fully seat distributor using bolts / screws. (Understand)

If distributor will not seat by hand, it is not properly aligned with camshaft. (Understand)

Rotate crankshaft until it is at number one cylinder TDC (camshaft sproket pin at the 9 o'clokc position). Rotate the distributor coupling until camshaft sproket pin slot aligns with the distributor base timing mark. Install distributor using hand pressure to fully seat.

Is this just a fool proof way of finding alignment? Seems like there is more than one way to be sure the camshaft pin is aligned with the slot on the distributor... if the cam pin is at 3 o'clock, then you could just rotate the distributor until it matches and carefully seat it, right?

Any other install thoughts or tips?

Thanks again...

 

What year is your car? Makes a difference whether you are running the splined shaft drive unvented unit, or the dowel pin driven vented Opti. You never mentioned what year the car is, at least not in a quick scan of all 5 of your posts on this site.

In any case, there is no need to reference TDC. Both the splined shaft and the dowel pin have unique alignments, that eliminate the need for putting the cam in any specific position. Note however that it is very possible to mis-align either drive system. You need to insure with 100% certainty that you have the Opti in the correct position when you put it on the front of the engine.

Shoebox has a guide to both systems:

http://shbox.com/1/93-94_opti.jpg

http://shbox.com/1/opti_back.jpg

Why not add a "signature" with basic info about your car - year, model, engine, trans and any major mods. That way its easier for people to help you without guessing.

 

Note however that it is very possible to mis-align either drive system. You need to insure with 100% certainty that you have the Opti in the correct position when you put it on the front of the engine.


Sorry I have never done this befor and am new to the LT1 motor.
If the splined shaft comes out of the opti, could it go back in way off its timing? do u have to change o rings on them?

 

I believe the splined shaft is indexed on both ends, so everything stays proper.

 

i wished i would of known this the night before bc i took everything off the front like the water out, coil, radiator fan, cold air, and it took me a long time and i put the new part in which didn't take long at all and i reinstalled everything and i put about 2 gallons of antifreeze in my car and my car ran like ****, it seemed like the plugs weren't installed right and the firing position was off but i checked everything and everything was on correctly so i called summit and told them and they said u prolly got a defective one and i had to take everything off and drain the fluid out of the water pump. it only took me 1 1\2 to take it off but i was so pissed. the next one comes in tomorrow and ill have to try that instead of putting it all back on and finding that it doesnt work again

 

Yes, the splined shaft is indexed on both ends, with the same "missing tooth" pattern. Should only fit in the Opti in one position, and in the cam sprocket in one position.

Operative word in that sentence is "should"..... it should, but somehow, people manage to align it incorrectly more frequently than you would expect.

How did you verify the Opti driveshaft was indexed correctly, if at that point you hadn't take anything apart? If you index it incorrectly by one tooth, it will "run like ****" and "seem like the plugs weren't installed right".

 

well i didnt know about the keyed splined shaft and i just checked to see if i put the spark plug wires in a diff firing order but that wasnt it so i took everything back off and had them send me another one which comes in tomorrow. i just checked my new opti and it doesnt have the keyed splined shaft on it? my stock one had it on there but the new one didnt. its made just for my car also

 

Are you sure you got the correct 93/94 Opti?

This is an "unvented" 93/94 Opti:

(Courtesy of Shoebox)

http://shbox.com/1/93-94_opti.jpg

This is a "vented" 95-97 Opti:

http://shbox.com/1/opti_back.jpg

 

no I'm 100 perfect sure I got an opti. I called summit and they said I got the right one for my year. They said it was prolly a defective one. The new one comes in tomorrow so hopefully that one works out for me

 

We all understand you got a an Opti. But you seemed very vague in whether you were referencing the first "new" replacement, or the second "new" replacement (which apparently not delivered yet).

Appears now you are indicating the FIRST "new" replacement Opti did not have the splined shaft, and that you re-used the splined shaft from your stock unit. Are you sure you aligned the splines correctly in the back of the Opti, and in the cam sprocket? Appears you didn't even know correct alignment was an issue, so I'd be willing to bet there was nothing wrong with the FIRST "new" Opti. You probalby installed it incorrectly.

 

sorry i meant to say yes i'm 100% sure i got the right opti. but, yes, i believe you are correct about me installing it wrong but i looked at my new and old opti and the old opti had the keyed mark in the shaft and the new opti didnt have the key shape like the old opti did. i believe the old opti was the stock one that came with the engine but im not for sure because i am the second or third owner. No i didnt use the splined shaft from the old opti. i never messed with the old opti. once i took it off, i put it aside and never looked at it until i realized i should check the splined shaft and they were nothing alike

 

i know this is old but you should keep all your old splined opti shafts. they come in handy as not all new optis come with them and you can not buy the shaft from gm(there is not even a part number for it)