I pulled my opti off today and had to take it to a dealer to borrow the tool you need to remove the cap and rotor. There was moisture inside the cap. I'm getting a AC Delco replacement for $280 but I'm worried about putting it on and having it be in time correctly. Everyone says I will be OK as long as I dont roll the motor over. Well the problem is when I pulled the pulley off and went to remove the opti the 3 prong hub thing where the balancer pulley bolts go into had one of the prongs in the way of removing the opti all the way. It was basically out but I had to roll the pulley hub about 1/2 inch to get the opti to clear and come all the way out. I think the opti shaft was out when I did this. Did I roll the whole crank & screw my self when I did that? So how do I put this all back together and make sure 100% that its in time correctly? The dealer said to make sure my shaft splines were all lined up right when I installed it. I thought it would only go on if they were? Im worried.

 

If you have the splines lined up right it is right. There is a flat spot on the shaft without splines. It only goes on one way. if you have to put pressure on the opti it is not on right.

 

If you have a 93 - 94, you opti has a splined shaft and should be lined up as shown here on Shoebox's site: http://shbox.com/1/93-94_opti.jpg

If you have a 95 - 97, there aren't splines, and it lines up per this photo: http://shbox.com/1/opti_back.jpg

Add a signature with a general description of your car, year, mods, etc. to make it easier for us to help you.

 

When I did mine on my 95, I thought I was going to have the same problem but I took a chance and put it on so it was nice and snug and not lopsided or off balance at all and it was fine. You have a little margain for error, it's not like do or die, you'll feel if it's in correctly.

 

Thanks guys, it is a 94 non vented btw.

 

While it may APPEAR that the splined shaft will only go into the Opti, and into the cam sprocket in one position because of the unique tooth on the spline, it is VERY possible to assemble it incorrectly and end up with the Opti indexed incorrectly to the cam sprocket. Use EXTREME care when reassembling. I'd say about 10% of the non-vented Opti installs end up with the shaft indexed incorrectly.

 

Also, if you get everything back together, and before you put the water pump back on, fire the engine briefly. You are not going to hurt the engine in doing so, but it will save you a lot of headache if something isn't lined up correctly. It becomes really frustrating when you have everything buttoned back up and it doesn't fire. Then you have to take everything back apart to figure out where you went wrong. Does not lead to a fun time.

 

Thanks! I will do that for sure.

 

I can vouch for this during the install on my 94. During the 1st go-around not a ton of attention was paid when putting it back on because, afterall, it can only go on one way, right.. WRONG! Mine slid right on with no forcing what-so-ever. Got everything done but when trying to start the car it would spit and sputter and backfire and wouldn't stay running. Turned out being the opti was installed flush and not forced but NOT in the correct position.

I highly suggest you get a light/mirror and actually LOOK to make sure everything is good and then stick it on. Doing it only by "feel" assuming that once it slides on nicely it must be correct is just asking for trouble. Trust me

 

I took my factory gm opti and the MSD pro billet and set the gear notches to the 12:00 mark. The factory was at 1:00 and the msd was at 2:00. Any one have that problem. The car runs fine but could it be better if it was the same for both?