I recent got an msd opti. I have been unable to get it to seat properly.

this isn't a splined shaft problem. It goes in about 3/4 of the way, but no further. the housing does not seat against the timing cover. It seems as if the splined shaft tolerances are too tight.
Has anyone else experienced this? Very frustrated as I've recently had other problems with another opti.

I checked by using the original GM splined shaft and an AC delco opti, it seated fine multiple times. I even tried a spare splined shaft I had, no problems.

so I think it is a tolerance problem in the MSD components. Anyone else see something like this?

and before anyone asks the obvious: yes, I'm 100% certain the shaft was aligned correctly. the flat spot, or bridged splines, were aligned correctly. I checked this multiple times too w/ the spare shaft. the MSD seats far enough to tell it is clearly engaged, but won't go all the way.

 

Have you tried some lubrication on the shaft?

 

yup

called summit last night. they said they would contact MSD today for tech support.
went through my paperwork. noted that I put in the Lunati timing gears & chain in january. so possibly two aftermarket parts not happy to work together.
I always buy GM stuff, but this time I tried the Lunati & MSD.....

 

Best of luck..let us know the outcome.

 

Going off of memory here but isn't there a dowel pin on the camshaft that fits into the opti? I recall some aftermarket cams having this pin a little long. Just a thought... let us know what you find.

 

what i did was take the shaft out of the opti and but it in the timing gear and tapped it in a little ( not a lot ) and then it will line up

 

i just put a new chain on the stock steel gears, and the msd opti seated just like it should, save yourself $200 take the lunati stuff back get a new chain for about $50 reuse the gears they are steel and will outlast the car.

 

I don't agree at all with the advice about the gears. The chain and the gears wear together. Slapping a new chain on old gears will only accelerate the wear on the new chain until it is soon like the old one. I always replace the timing stuff as a set.

 

I agree with shoe..a little investment for good insurance.

 

Have you measured the length of the MSD splined shaft versus the old one?