Some MSD Opti Install Tips
06-15-2007, 06:33 PM
#1
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Some MSD Opti Install Tips
There’s nothing like “trial-by-fire” to make you an expert quickly. So, I wanted to share some important install tips I recently learned about the MSD opti.
1. If your MSD opti comes with the round O-ring. Don’t use the round one, it tends to slip off the machined lip on the CNC’ed housing (aluminum distributor body), or gets caught under the distributor cap. Contact MSD and have them send you one of the new “square” O-rings. Here is a picture of the square O-ring with the part number (pkg of 2).
2. Set the MSD on your workbench and install the square O-ring on the housing before you install the distributor on the engine. I used a very small amount of RTV to stick the square O-ring down to the housing so it wouldn’t move, or fall off. The RTV will also ensure the O-ring will stay under the lip of the cap. Allow the RTV to dry before installing the cap.
3. At this point you may want to “test fit” the cap to “ensure” the lip on the cap fits over the square O-ring and is flush (mates flat without any gap) on the aluminum housing (no gap to due to getting caught on the edge of the O-ring).
4. Remove the rotor screws, then reinstall them using blue thread-locker and ensure the screws are tightened correctly (the rotor screws were loose on my MSD).
5. After the MSD is installed on the engine, you’re ready to install the cap. Once again, make sure the cap slips over the square O-ring and mates flat on the aluminum housing. Use a small amount of blue thread-locker on the five cap screws.
Use my install tips "in-addition" to the basic MSD installation instructions. Post or PM me if you have any questions about the MSD install.
WD
1. If your MSD opti comes with the round O-ring. Don’t use the round one, it tends to slip off the machined lip on the CNC’ed housing (aluminum distributor body), or gets caught under the distributor cap. Contact MSD and have them send you one of the new “square” O-rings. Here is a picture of the square O-ring with the part number (pkg of 2).
2. Set the MSD on your workbench and install the square O-ring on the housing before you install the distributor on the engine. I used a very small amount of RTV to stick the square O-ring down to the housing so it wouldn’t move, or fall off. The RTV will also ensure the O-ring will stay under the lip of the cap. Allow the RTV to dry before installing the cap.
3. At this point you may want to “test fit” the cap to “ensure” the lip on the cap fits over the square O-ring and is flush (mates flat without any gap) on the aluminum housing (no gap to due to getting caught on the edge of the O-ring).
4. Remove the rotor screws, then reinstall them using blue thread-locker and ensure the screws are tightened correctly (the rotor screws were loose on my MSD).
5. After the MSD is installed on the engine, you’re ready to install the cap. Once again, make sure the cap slips over the square O-ring and mates flat on the aluminum housing. Use a small amount of blue thread-locker on the five cap screws.
Use my install tips "in-addition" to the basic MSD installation instructions. Post or PM me if you have any questions about the MSD install.
WD
Last edited by The Engineer; 06-22-2007 at 09:50 AM.
06-15-2007, 08:51 PM
#2
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Nice right up. It's a shame that we would need to do this to a new Distributor, but if it keeps it together... I do really like the rotor button on the MSD unit because it is held down with a screw instead of a couple of plastic dowels, which flew apart on mt Accel... I've decided just to go with the LTCC and get rid of my rotor all together.
06-20-2007, 09:58 PM
#4
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Also, you install the distributor with the cap off. Turning the rotor until the cam pin engages in the distributor hub key hole, then the distributor will slide flat and mate with the timing chain cover. If it isn’t keyed correctly, the distributor will not mate with the timing chain cover. The rotor should then be pointing where you marked the GM prior to removal.
WD
06-20-2007, 10:03 PM
#5
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The rotor is installed on the MSD while it is on the workbench. Yes, like all distirbutors the rotor is keyed (indexed) to the shaft hub. The rotor has a key pin and the hub has a hole for the pin.
Also, you install the distributor with the cap off. Turning the rotor until the cam pin engages in the distributor hub key hole, then the distributor will slide flat and mate with the timing chain cover. If it isn’t keyed correctly, the distributor will not mate with the timing chain cover. The rotor should then be pointing where you marked the GM prior to removal.
WD
Also, you install the distributor with the cap off. Turning the rotor until the cam pin engages in the distributor hub key hole, then the distributor will slide flat and mate with the timing chain cover. If it isn’t keyed correctly, the distributor will not mate with the timing chain cover. The rotor should then be pointing where you marked the GM prior to removal.
WD
06-20-2007, 10:20 PM
#6
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On a 93-94 opti there is only one way that the opti will go into the camshaft so there is no real way of messing up the index on a 93-94 opti. Like the engineer said there is a dowel pin for, i think, 95 and later optis. My LT1 is a 94 so there is no dowel pin coming from the camshaft.
06-21-2007, 10:55 AM
#7
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You simply can't just bolt the Opti distributor on-to the engine, you must first make sure both the cam and distributor are aligned correclty then engage (dowel pin and hub keyed hole). Once they are correctly engaged the distributor will easily slip back flush with the timing chain cover. If it doesn't slip back (gap between the distributor and timing chain cover), they aren't aligned/engaged correctly.
You have a 95, therefore it should have the cam dowel pin.
WD
Last edited by The Engineer; 06-21-2007 at 10:58 AM.
06-21-2007, 06:27 PM
#8
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I'm sorry but I think that it's a bunch of bull that msd hasn't supplied us with the parts to install the opti correctly. Instead we're left to make due with what they have supplied us with and if it goes bad than it's "our fault for improperlly installing the unit". They should ship those square o-rings and notify past purchasers of these things. I already have the opti installed and it sorta ticks me off to think that I would have to rip everything back off just to make those two changes (o-ring and locktight). There should've been further R&D on this unit. Two thumbs down for MSD!!! 
06-21-2007, 06:59 PM
#9
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I'm sorry but I think that it's a bunch of bull that msd hasn't supplied us with the parts to install the opti correctly. Instead we're left to make due with what they have supplied us with and if it goes bad than it's "our fault for improperlly installing the unit". They should ship those square o-rings and notify past purchasers of these things. I already have the opti installed and it sorta ticks me off to think that I would have to rip everything back off just to make those two changes (o-ring and locktight). There should've been further R&D on this unit. Two thumbs down for MSD!!!
Additionally they say, “want doesn’t kill you makes you a better person.” The Optis didn’t quite kill me (just yet), so I guess I’m a better person now (maybe). One thing for sure, I’m much better at changing out Optis and I get a little faster each time.
WD
06-21-2007, 07:37 PM
#11
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I keep extra LT water pump gaskets in my shop (FelPros are better than GMs) along with several gallons of antifreeze. Also, I still can't figure-out how about 2 1/2 gallons of coolant can appear to be about 10 gallons when it drips on the shop floor (even after you've drained the system in a pan)!
WD
06-21-2007, 11:02 PM
#12
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Again, the distributor hub and cam w/ dowel pin are keyed to only fit in one position. Once the cam dowel pin "engages" in the distributor hub keyed hole, it is correct. Although, you'll have to rotate the hub by turing the rotor until the cam pin and distirbutor hub are correctly aligned and the pin goes into the hole.
You simply can't just bolt the Opti distributor on-to the engine, you must first make sure both the cam and distributor are aligned correclty then engage (dowel pin and hub keyed hole). Once they are correctly engaged the distributor will easily slip back flush with the timing chain cover. If it doesn't slip back (gap between the distributor and timing chain cover), they aren't aligned/engaged correctly.
You have a 95, therefore it should have the cam dowel pin.
WD
You simply can't just bolt the Opti distributor on-to the engine, you must first make sure both the cam and distributor are aligned correclty then engage (dowel pin and hub keyed hole). Once they are correctly engaged the distributor will easily slip back flush with the timing chain cover. If it doesn't slip back (gap between the distributor and timing chain cover), they aren't aligned/engaged correctly.
You have a 95, therefore it should have the cam dowel pin.
WD
I know what you mean, I understand how to index the opti to the camshaft correctly. Sorry if I was unclear, but after the opti is installed and correctly indexed to the engine, is the rotor installed in only one location? That is what I had a question about.
06-22-2007, 09:43 AM
#13
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1. If your MSD opti comes with the round O-ring. Don’t use the round one, it tends to slip off the machined lip on the CNC’ed housing (aluminum distributor body), or gets caught under the distributor cap.
4. Remove the rotor screws, then reinstall them using blue thread-locker and unsure the screws are tightened correctly (the rotor screws were loose on my MSD).
4. Remove the rotor screws, then reinstall them using blue thread-locker and unsure the screws are tightened correctly (the rotor screws were loose on my MSD).
06-22-2007, 09:47 AM
#14
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Please re-read my post #4. I don't know how to explain it any better that that. And, you install the rotor "prior" to installing the distributor on the engine.
WD
