You can even leave the pulley off and try to start it. If it still won't start, you can confirm the opti is indexed correctly by putting number 1 at TDC and remove the cap. The rotor should be pointing almost dead on the 6 O'Clock position.

 

...but did you index it correctly?

 

You need to make sure the both ends of the splined drive shaft are indexed correctly.... one end into the back of the Opti, and the other end into the cam sprocket.

 

Ugh i dont think i did index it correctly cuz my car still doesnt start. I rotated the pully damper would that affect my no start issue?? So is there any other way i could tell if my opti is indexed right besides from it fitting flush??? You said if i take off the cap the rotor should be at 6'oclock? and that means its indexed right?


Alright i went to go try 2 start my car and it started on the first turn but the RPMS slowly dropped then the car died???? a Weird smell came from the car too like idk? a new electronic smell lol.

 

If the MAF is plugged in, it needs to be attached to the intake, or it will probably idle high for about 30 seconds to a minute and then die, not to restart. At least I know that happened to me. My guess would be that the computer interpreted no air coming in, so it didn't give it any fuel. I'm no expert, so there could be a lot more to it than that, or I may not be at all correct.

If the intake isn't attached, make sure the MAF is unplugged.

 

do yourself a favor and get the ovc kit. If you don't plan on putting the wires back exactly where they were stock, it's very difficult to keep them from getting burnt, or gashed. Looks like that one was sitting on the pulley for a bit.

 

Well i tried putting them exactly how they were but i guess i didnt. or maybe i yanked on the wire while it was caught on something? Whats an OVC kit??
Thanks

Well the only thing i got plugged in, in the front is the Opti. and the Pully? i am working on my car outside and its really cold.. Last night i tried starting it and it sounded like it almost wanted to start but didnt.. and today it was a little warmer and it started for about a cpl of secs. Right now its 23 degrees?? could the cold temps be affecting the starting????
Thanks

 

The pulley will only fit on the hub one way due to bolt pattern. If you rotated the (keyless) hub on the crankshaft it will have no effect on starting but might vibrate.

I had said if you PUT NUMBER 1 AT TDC, the rotor should be close to the 6 O'Clock position. So how long will you continue to question whether the opti is indexed properly but not bother to confirm it? My suggestion is double check the wires connection at the opti as far as order. Check the entire length of the wires for bad spots (gashes, telltale white spots or burned spots) and remove them as a culprit. You may also wish to pull several plugs to be sure they have spark.

As far as the MAF is concerned, the PCM should only revert to the speed density mode if the MAF is unplugged. But do yourself a favor, plug it in and connect the breather tubes correctly before you attempt starting again.

One last question, why did you change the opti and was it running before you did?

 

This might be a problem.

 

Alright i will put #1 at top dead center. if i use a straw to check it how do i know the straw is crushed? does it comeout? Also wat part of the rotor is at 6oclock the round part or the other part. I changed my opti because chevy said i should change it cuz my car is misfiring and running rough. so at first i just changed the cap and rotor but now i decided to change the whole thing so i did. oh yea so what if the rotor is not at 6 o clock??? Thankyou.

 

So we're back to the question of did it run after you changed the cap and rotor? Was it still missing?

To get 1 at TDC use your finger with the plug out. Rotate the crank by hand with a breaker bar while you rotate it, place your finger over the plug whole. Air will be forced out past your finger when it starts its way up toward TDC. Now use something like a pencil (straw is ok) in the plug hole to show you the movement of the piston. It will stop moving up at TDC. If you rotate too far it will begin to go back down (back into the plug hole).

The portion of the rotor you are concerned with is the contact point on the outside edge of the wide black metal piece.
shown here
http://www.partsamerica.com/product_...dr164_full.jpg

If it is not pointing near 6 then you will have to remove the opti and install it correctly.

My suggestion would be to let a shop finish it at that point.

 

The metal part of the rotor should point close to cylinder number.

 

Alright i took the opti off and took of the cap and i moved the spline until the metal peiceof the rotor got to the 6 oclock position and i TDC the number one piston and the opti slid right in. i take it back off and put the cap back on and put it back in the cam. I checked the wires and i think i had numbers 5 and 3 mixed up.. i fixed that and i have the opti all setted up and ready... but b4 i start my car i am wondering what do i need connected?? my car is outside and its cold outside all the windows and everything is frozen, my car has no coolant in it. Would it be safe to start it? Thanks..
OH and u know how i have that ripped wire? wathappens if it touches metal while itss operating?? Thanks

 

When I replaced the water pump drive & opti seals on my car, I ran it for a little while to make sure they weren't leaking. I had no coolant in the car. Just hook up the stuff necessary to crank it and make sure the serpentine belt is off the crank pulley.

 

You are supposed to index the opti drive with the notch like has been already shown and said. You are not supposed to use the rotor for positioning. Do it right or it will not work.

Your damaged wire may arc to ground and not fire the spark plug.