Opti-spark preventative maintenance
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 159
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From: Cumming, GA
Opti-spark preventative maintenance
I got the front end of my LT1 apart to clean it. I'd like to complete preventative maintenance on the opti while I've got it off. Can I lube the bearing with a small needle and a syringe with High temp grease? Can I take the cover off and use silicane to seal from water incursion? Is there anything else I could do to increase its longevity?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,361
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From: Central Maryland
I got the front end of my LT1 apart to clean it. I'd like to complete preventative maintenance on the opti while I've got it off. Can I lube the bearing with a small needle and a syringe with High temp grease? Can I take the cover off and use silicane to seal from water incursion? Is there anything else I could do to increase its longevity?
If it's a Gen-1, consider the DynaSpark or MSD as a replacement. The OEM units were always junk, and they still are.
If it's a Gen-2, the OEM unit is worth considering as a replacement. It's less expensive than the Gen-1 unit, and much improved.
Gen-1 = '92 - '94
Gen-2 = '95 - '96
Be well,
SJW
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Newnan GA
Gen 2's have the vaccum hose to keep it dry, the gen 1's didn't, that is the biggest reason that they are junk. Once the water seeps in it can't get out.
Depending on your mileage,
Since you have it all off anyway I would say replace the water pump and the Opti, if you have the $$$ and the time. Both OEM parts should run flawlessly past 150K miles but there are always suprises, and it sucks getting it all put back together only to have to tear it down again.
The MSD Opti worked well for my '94 Camaro, and It's not unheard of for the Gen 2 GM Opti to run well over 200K, Either one would be a good choice.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Beaver Dam Kentucky
I'm about in the same boat except I have a miss in the # 3 cylinder. I haven't tore it down yet. I was wondering, can you clean the Opti up and stop the miss or should I bite the bullet and put on a new one?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
There is nothing wrong with a gen 1 Opti that can't be fixed with the gen 2 vacuum harness and about 10 minutes worth of work on the cap to add the fittings. They are otherwise identical except for the type of plug used on the wiring harness and the way they meet the cam.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,227
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From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
There is nothing wrong with a gen 1 Opti that can't be fixed with the gen 2 vacuum harness and about 10 minutes worth of work on the cap to add the fittings. They are otherwise identical except for the type of plug used on the wiring harness and the way they meet the cam.
I did the vac hose mod on mine when I put the new one in. It has been great ever since. Not very hard to do either! I do agree that you might want to spend the $ now while it is apart and have a nice new one in there! New coil too! Plugs...wires....
-R
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
If this is a Gen-1 Opti, I'd strongly recommend you just replace the thing now while you've got such great access to it. It'll never be easier. If it's a Gen-2, well, maybe try to seal it up with some RTV and hope for the best (but I think I'd just replace it anyway).
If it's a Gen-1, consider the DynaSpark or MSD as a replacement. The OEM units were always junk, and they still are.
If it's a Gen-2, the OEM unit is worth considering as a replacement. It's less expensive than the Gen-1 unit, and much improved.
Gen-1 = '92 - '94
Gen-2 = '95 - '96
Be well,
SJW
If it's a Gen-1, consider the DynaSpark or MSD as a replacement. The OEM units were always junk, and they still are.
If it's a Gen-2, the OEM unit is worth considering as a replacement. It's less expensive than the Gen-1 unit, and much improved.
Gen-1 = '92 - '94
Gen-2 = '95 - '96
Be well,
SJW
DyanSpark says they're both problematic............
"The opti-spark is an engineering marvel", yeah, right.
Thank God and poor realiablity it was short lived.
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When I had my 92 apart it was a breeze to replace the plugs and wires.
Also consider replacing the tensioner for the serpentine. I didn't, so now its on my list of things to replace when I do my AC.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 2,281
From: Central Maryland
While you have it apart replace Opti, Water pump. Serpentine belt, plugs, and wires.
When I had my 92 apart it was a breeze to replace the plugs and wires.
Also consider replacing the tensioner for the serpentine. I didn't, so now its on my list of things to replace when I do my AC.
When I had my 92 apart it was a breeze to replace the plugs and wires.
Also consider replacing the tensioner for the serpentine. I didn't, so now its on my list of things to replace when I do my AC.
Be well,
SJW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
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From: CLT, North Carolina
I think GM got a wake-up call on this one when they underestimated the persistance of Corvette owners to wash the engine down. It turns out your otherwise inconspicuous common everyday garden hose is the natural enemy of the Optispark distributor. 95 and 96 received a pretty good defensive upgrade; they hooked it to the air duct and manifold vacuum which did a pretty good job of keeping it dry but some owners found a way around that by driving around with leaky water pumps while waiting for the opportunistic "round tuit." I installed a new Opti from GM while I had my car apart recently chasing oil leaks and disassembled the old one afterwards to see what all the commotion was about. It worked fine and looked good inside so it was just preventive maintenance I guess. Car is a 96 with 110K.
