i have my eye on everything since last Thursday and my eyes have popped out of head i think i'm going to check the opti spark 1st since i feel i have a spark timing problem.

any other input please input......

 

You are right on the money redeasysport, we must keep focused on the objective of getting the engine running then sorting out anything that needs to be done to improve performance and power later.
One of the most difficult things when helping someone on this forum is keeping them going in the straight line that will get their engine running the quickest.
It is amazing how much the energy level goes up once they hear the engine running that I try to accomplish this first.
Part of the problem is that other members with valid suggestions will take the person a number of steps ahead too quickly and they get frustrated when that step does not cure the particular problen and want to give up on the whole excersise.

94vette Do not just pull the Opti until you determine how much the timing is off with your timing light, this will tell you how much you need to turn the shaft before reinstalling. Do not assume it is 180 degrees out, I just suggested that because I know it is possible and it may have been timed with the #1 up at TDC on the exhaust stroke.
As redeasysport has pointed out it does not need to be this far off to cause no start.
Keep taking one step at a time and dont get drawn off on tangents and we will get this sorted out quicker than you think.
Best regards
Jerris

 

just did a quad triple check. per Cloyes that upper gear does have splines and 1 wide spline. can only go one way. found a pic of the opti spark and it's the sameway. it's a ton of work with the ATI balancer i'm using but i guess i will pull it off 2nd, 1st i'm going to try timing the motor with a timing light.

 

Are you going to believe me or not?I told you it can and has happened to other members.Take it to the bank.

 

that's going to be second in line to check. i'm going to try the mark the balancer myself and see how far timing is out if it is. if it is out i will be diving into the opti spark right after that. help me willie!!
please.....

 

Ok always best to do the easiest thing first.Now a couple of tips for if/when you get to the opti.

1.Pull the spline shaft out of it and check alignment with it(1,2,3 o'clock) on the timing cover.As I said it should go in and out with no effort.

2.If you pull it at least open it up( you will need E4 socket) and check the inside.If all is good(no coolant,rust,carbon tracing) then seal everything very well with RTV to prevent intrusion.

Keep at it it will rise again.

 

[QUOTE=bmergner94vette
as far as a opti spark, i get spark to all wires, i did that test last night. can a opti spark still throw spark to all 8 wires and still not work? how does one test a opti spark since it does throw spark to all eight wires? the money of buying one does not bother me at all, it's the chasing and i hate just throwing parts at something and crossing my fingers.
[/QUOTE]

Yes you can get spark to all 8 wires and the cap still be fried. the question is if it is crabon tracked causing your spark to go all over the place. The test for this is simple but does require a $5 tool. At your local parts store they should have a spark tester. Mine looks like a spring loaded clamp with a terminal to fit the plug wire with. You clip this to a good ground and set the proper gap (I used HEI as a refernce on the chart) then crank the car and see if the spark jumps the gap. When my original Opti went south (on newsyears eve day of all times) it would fire all 8 plug wires but I noticed the spark did not seem consistanyt so I got the tool and did the test which it failed.

Here is the tool I used fig 3

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d801bc3b7.jsp

 

Thanks Fd2blk that is why I asked him to pull a plug and fire it.The type(color&intensity) can be telling.Testing the opti can be done with the right tools but some of them are expensive.Glad to hear there is a tool for the spark.

 

Don't worry, we'll get you running.

I managed to put my opti on the wrong way
How? There's a couple of o-rings that fit on the drive that sticks into the camshaft. What I didn't realise was that the old ones had broke off and were still in the camshaft.

But before you pull it all apart, borrow a timing light, and see where, and if, the spark is coming out of the opti.

Next get a noid, yes that's what they're called , for the injectors to make sure they are firing, it's like $3.

 

chipped away at it last night for awhile. i did the timing pointer idea and it did help. after making a timing point and turning the motor over the spark timing is out roughly 60 degree's. after pulling the vortech back off, water pump and getting to the opti spark i did learn something. the shaft that runs the opti spark can go in several different way ( my brand new Cloyes set-up will take the shaft 3 different ways and i have been taking the shaft for a over a week ). it's true, it's damn true..... i will install the correct way over the weekend and keep all posted..

 

Congratulations, now we are getting somewhere. See how this one step at a time works. She is going to be running by the end of this weekend I predict.
Once you have got the Opti back in correctly, the next step is to check the spray pattern on the newly cleaned injectors. Once this is confirmed good (if it is bad we will talk you through troubleshooting this as well) you can button her back up and smile when she fires and starts on the first crank.
Once she is running we can sort out any drivability problems that might show up. Then it's happy cruising.
Keep up the good work, I (and others) will stay with you until the end.
Brst regards
Jerris

 

The end is near.

One thing about the Opti R&R you can start the car witout the WP installed to make sure you have it right before you button it up.

 

 

i plan on starting that B*#@& without a water pump....

 

That is the positive attitude I need to hear.
Keep at it
Jerris

 

Just a reminder to open up the opti while you have it off.Now is the time to replace the cap and rotor at least if it needs it.With the history of getting leaked on I think it would be wise.

If you want to go all out you could do something like this

 

If it's not already, I would upgrade the Opti-spark as-per the Corvette Fever Tip http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758 using the GM vacuum harness # 12558921
I have.

 

IT'S ALIVE...................
thanks again to all for the input. a opti spark can only go in one way right? #@*K NO.............. more will get posted and thanks again.

 

Another forum successful repair.

 

Congratulations again....... I told you one step at a time and no distractions and going off on tangents would get you up and running.
Once you focused on the steps the result had to be success.
I love it when a plan comes together
Happy for you
Jerris