97 Z28 LT1
I had replaced Opti when it went out plus plugs, plug wires, water pump(was time to replace) fuel filter check fuel pressure its good.

after this it would crank and not turn over, but i waited a while then it would start right up, i wore out my starter i think doing this for a while got a new one. But befroe getting the starter while driving it would cut off then start up and i would watch the Temp Guage rise before it cuts off. Talked to this guy Told him all that was done, He said that I didn't set my #1 Piston TDC. so recently went back under the car did it and it still runs and then cuts off, it did it today with the Check Guages lighting up. (I changed Radiator out, drained fluid, new ICM, new ignition coil)looking to get OE radiator Cap soon the one that i have is Stant 18lbs and think there is still air in the cooling system will take care of that today. Please help why is it still cutting off.

 

could be a bad opti even though its new its not uncommon for a new one to be bad.

 

Did you say the SES light is on? If so, post the trouble codes you are getting. Agree that it could be a DOA opti.

 

Only Trouble code that i get is P0430, which i had before the first OPti went out. Could overheating cause it to cut off or is my #1 piston still not TDC. I did it again after it set for a while. I just hoping that its not the Opti cause i really don't wont to get back underneath it again.

 

What does that mean?????? What did you do under the car?

430 is Cat efficiency. Has nothing to do with running and shutting off.

 

An opti replacement does not require any particular piston to be in any particular position from what I've seen.

 

What I meant by underneath is that it was best position laying down with the car on jack stand to change and reach the distributor. Just for my sakes Opti and distributor or the same thing. P0430 was the only code the I had before when the car stop completely I had. How I knew that it was the distributor I had it towed to the dealer during that time they wanted $2300 to do the work. With you guys info from this site help me to do the work. Even now p0430 is the only code that shows up.

 

@ calaban I have both service manuals and it said when replacing the distributor that the pin slot should be at 9 O'clock I remember replacing it with the pin at 3 O'clock the first time. The book said the cam balancer arrow will point to 12 o'clock with the pin at nine.

TDC = Top Dead center for #1 piston I'll see if I can scan the page in

 

The vented Opti, if installed correctly, does not require that any piston be on TDC, other than for ease of fitting the Opti past the damper hub. The cam dowel pin only has one correct position. It is possible to force the dowel pin into the wrong hole, but on a vented Opti, the timing would be so far out (240 crank degrees) that the engine wouldn't run very well, if at all.

If his engine was running decently, he had the dowel pin aligned correctly, and there was no need to go under the car and reinstall it.

Courtesy of Shoebox:

http://shbox.com/1/opti_back.jpg

 

@ Injuneer I read all over this site before the first install, repositioning the pin I couldn't force it when I did try. I was guided to read the service manual where it said to make sure that the pin is at nine. The SES Light only comes on when the car shuts off while driving. But other than that it runs fine starting is a problem. After about five sec of cranking it start but not on first crank. Just don't know why it cuts off and the check guages light comes on but if ts the distributor then it must go then, oh it's a dynaspark

 

If you are convinced you are right, and we're wrong, it's going to be pretty hard to help you.

Good luck.

 

I hope that's not what you got from my explaining, if I thought i was right then I wouldnt post the thread, just trying to give all info possible cause I know that's a big thing around here. This my first thread post. I just looking for help in what I did wrong. Also like right now I just came back from getting a poboy and it's not starting, no cranking or clicking nothing but I have power and the SES Light only shows after trying to start the car

 

When you say it doesn't do anything does your starter even engage?

 

@ Final03

No the starter doesn't engage at all while waiting to restart.
It seems that the problem has characteristics of overheating then having to wait for it to cool before starting. when i try to start it only the SES gauge light comes on, then after a while it starts.

The guys in the earlier post said it could be a bad opti i hoping its not, but if is then it gotta come out just not trying to take it off and put another back on .

 

@ Final03 about the starter yes it does engages but no cranking just SES Guage light shows after attempting