Opti install problem LT4 96 Vett
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 103
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From: Stockton CA
Opti install problem LT4 96 Vett
Every thing is cleaned off the front of the engine, damper, old opti and WP, you could eat your breakfast off the timing cover area etc..I cleaned it up just like it came from the factory. The Opti, I got, has two Orings on the opti 1 inch drive shaft or guide shaft that goes inside the cam shaft, the opti I took off had the groves for the Orings, but no Orings..It also sounded like a coffee grinder when you turned the opti where the new was smooth and quit. So who ever put on the Opti before me maybe had the same problem. The new Opti pushes into position and the drive tang and 3 bolts on the end of the shaft are matching, but it won't go the last 3/16 of inch. I know its in place correct, but it feels like the last Oring or second Oring is holding it from being totally flush. It says specifically not to tighten down with the 3 opti mounting bolts to fit it in place. I can tighten them up but I will be putting pressure on the last 1/8 inch to 3/16 of an inch or so...any one done this on an LT4 who knows if the Orings need to be in place or if the prior installer had the same problem and took the Orings off...Pretty technical stuff here and some one who has done this is maybe the one with the answer. Your input is really appreciated 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 103
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From: Stockton CA
I solved it
DONE DEAL ON GETTING THE OPTI TO FIT...It was just very tricky, I took the old opti put it on and it went flush and also not quite flush when slightly off, so i market the timing cover housing, took the O rings off the new one and tired it and it went flush also,so I marked the new one put the Orings back on the new one,unlike the previous installer and bingo it went flush to the timing cover and I tightened her down 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
The O-rings are a snug fit.
The O-rings are designed to support the back of the Opti-Spark shaft when installed into the camshaft.
Without the O-rings, the shaft can wobble and ruin the bearing.
Tom Piper
The O-rings are designed to support the back of the Opti-Spark shaft when installed into the camshaft.
Without the O-rings, the shaft can wobble and ruin the bearing.
Tom Piper
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
I had some trouble with mine also, those o-rings are a pain but I feel they're absolutely needed to keep the opti centered, I think they may also offer some damping and isolation.
Anyway, before I installed the opti I stuck the whole thing in the freezer with the o-rings installed and greased up. After about twenty minutes it slid right in the cam.
The only reason I knew this is because a few weeks prior I tried to install on in a 95 and had the same trouble with the o-rings, somehow the freezer thing works. Maybe the cold makes the o-rings a little stiffer and resistant to flopping around when you're trying to push it in, who knows?
Anyway, before I installed the opti I stuck the whole thing in the freezer with the o-rings installed and greased up. After about twenty minutes it slid right in the cam.
The only reason I knew this is because a few weeks prior I tried to install on in a 95 and had the same trouble with the o-rings, somehow the freezer thing works. Maybe the cold makes the o-rings a little stiffer and resistant to flopping around when you're trying to push it in, who knows?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by ALLT4
I had some trouble with mine also, those o-rings are a pain but I feel they're absolutely needed to keep the opti centered, I think they may also offer some damping and isolation.
Anyway, before I installed the opti I stuck the whole thing in the freezer with the o-rings installed and greased up. After about twenty minutes it slid right in the cam.
The only reason I knew this is because a few weeks prior I tried to install on in a 95 and had the same trouble with the o-rings, somehow the freezer thing works. Maybe the cold makes the o-rings a little stiffer and resistant to flopping around when you're trying to push it in, who knows?
Anyway, before I installed the opti I stuck the whole thing in the freezer with the o-rings installed and greased up. After about twenty minutes it slid right in the cam.
The only reason I knew this is because a few weeks prior I tried to install on in a 95 and had the same trouble with the o-rings, somehow the freezer thing works. Maybe the cold makes the o-rings a little stiffer and resistant to flopping around when you're trying to push it in, who knows?
Good reasoning and logic (as well as tip). Thanks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 103
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From: Stockton CA
The old Opti as I stated did not have the Orings just the groves for them. As stated when you turn the old OPti, honest it sounds just like a coffee grinder. So as stated the bearings took a hike. Thanks to all, I like the refrig trick, that makes sense to me.
