Well i just changed my plugs and wires the other day. It took me 6 hours in my driveway and a lot of spitting and cussing but i finally got it done.
While i was at it i tried to get my crank pully off to clean my grease covered Opti. WELL i never got the pully off cuz it was froze on there somehow? i took of the 3 main bolts and then the center one and beat the heck out of it but it never budged.

Questions...
1. How do i get the crank pully off?
2. Tips on removing the Opti distributer greatly appreciated
3. Should i replace it with the GM Opti for $$$ or MSD Opti from Summit for about $150

 

Here is how you can get the pulley off.

Get a new GM opti from Dal or Jason. ~$200 for a vented one.

MSD only makes a cap and rotor and they are not even being shipped yet.

Look here for instructions on opti replacement.

 

You don't need to remove the center bolt. That holds the hub to the crank snout, and the hub doesn't need to come off for the Opti replacement.

In theory, once you take the 3 bolts out that hold the pulley to the hub, it should fall off. But, rust has taken its toll and its stuck on there. Apply generous quantity of penetrating oil. Tap lightly on the center of the pulley (not on the outside edges) to see if it comes loose. If not, your 97 (assuming your screen name indicates the year of your car) should have threaded holes in the 3 arms to allow you to use a puller.

 

Sorry, Fred is right about the pulley. The late model ones have the holes in them for using a three toed puller (like a balancer puller.) Pulley differences seen here.

 

I was changing the opti on my first Trans Am and had the same issue. I basically just had to soak the pulley with some PB Blaster a few times a day for maybe a week before it would come off. PIA but it should work.