Does the harmonic balancer need to come off to change the distributor on a 95 lt1? This is my first time doing this, and may need a little guidance.... Thanks!

 

I had to with mine. I wasn't sure on how far so I removed it completely. I would be trial and error unless someone has a documented dimension for you to use.

 

yeah you just need to remove the pulley

you can get this kind of puller from autozone for like 25 bucks. there is also another style thats a little bit cheaper. same concept though. just remove the three 5/8 bolts. it comes off pretty easy

 

just the pulley/damper needs to come off, the hub can stay on, but you may need to rotate the motor some so there is room to put the opti in - so that the hub represents a "Y" if you will giving you space to remove and push the opti on

 

Do you have to remove the fans to get to the opti ? I've heard of some poeple not doing it - any comments ?

-- Lee

 

It allows more room, but you don't have to remove the fans.

 

just put a new opti in my 97 LT1 yesterday. for the 5 minutes it takes to remove the 8 bolts holding fans it more than makes up for with the room you create to remove and reinstall the water pump.

 

Im on my first opti too. I had to remove the balancer, but i didnt need a pulley. My balancer came off with a little elbow grease.

Which opti unit are you going to go with ?

 

You shouldn't have to remove any bolts to remove the fan. It just rests on some hooks on the AC condenser.

 

I just did my first opti on my 97 ss a few days ago. I definitely recommend getting the fans out of the way and the balancer definitely has to go. I'd reather do the opti any day than plugs and wires though.

 

I do believe it is captured by the piece that also holds your radiator in place.

 

Actually the hooks or slots that it rests in are on the radiator, no the condenser. No bolts though, at least not on mine. Ive had the fan out dozens of times though and I don't remember ever seeing any bolt holes.

 

Doesn't the condenser hang in front of the radiator. http://shbox.com/1/radiator_mounting.jpg . I guess I have always removed piece #2 in the picture. It is a pain to remove the fans because of the hoses. I couldn't pull mine out the top, they had to drop out the bottom.