Opti Spark Alignment ????
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
Opti Spark Alignment ????
Got my new opti today, don't have the old one off yet but have read plenty about getting it out. Looks like I have a long weekend ahead.
One question I have is - how do you get it aligned properly? It looks like the mounting base is keyed to only fit one way but what about the splined shaft? How do I know the rotor inside is in the same location as the one removed?
OK I lied, second question. When I get the old one out I want to crack it open. What kind of fasteners are those holding the cap one? They look like an inside-out torx? What size/name tool do I look for to remove these screws? Who sells them?
Thanks
One question I have is - how do you get it aligned properly? It looks like the mounting base is keyed to only fit one way but what about the splined shaft? How do I know the rotor inside is in the same location as the one removed?
OK I lied, second question. When I get the old one out I want to crack it open. What kind of fasteners are those holding the cap one? They look like an inside-out torx? What size/name tool do I look for to remove these screws? Who sells them?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 10
From: Apple Valley MN
If you got an MSD opti, it comes with an inverted Torx tool to remove the screws on the old cap. I don't know what size they are, but if you search here, I know it's been mentioned before.
I took my old cap off first (before removing the opti from the car), and marked the rotor location with a pencil. Then I made sure the rotor location on the new one lined up the same before installing it.
I took my old cap off first (before removing the opti from the car), and marked the rotor location with a pencil. Then I made sure the rotor location on the new one lined up the same before installing it.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: powhatan va.
the inverted torx socket is size e4, i got mine from snap-on but if you got the msd it comes with the tool. i found that out after i already bought the the socket, and the spline is slotted so it will only go on one way, you cant put it on wrong .very easy job, if you are mechanically inclined should only take about 3 hours.
Last edited by bigwave71; May 1, 2008 at 07:28 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland OHIO
It is an E4 and Snap On is a wonderful choice !!!! If you are ever in a pinch your throttle body screws will work as an emergency E4 though.
You will need a deep E4 b.t.w. One word of caution DO NOT force the opti on and you will be fine. Now is a good time to do plugs,wires and hoses too. If you can't find a Snap On dealer you can buy it online. Matco and Mac both have it as well, it's not as good but they have it.
For what you are going to use it for though any brand will be fine.
You will need a deep E4 b.t.w. One word of caution DO NOT force the opti on and you will be fine. Now is a good time to do plugs,wires and hoses too. If you can't find a Snap On dealer you can buy it online. Matco and Mac both have it as well, it's not as good but they have it.
For what you are going to use it for though any brand will be fine.
Last edited by wayne lowry; May 1, 2008 at 07:42 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Ok this gives me an excuse to post a pic of the lightly used AC Delco opti I just received. You can see the key
Question for y'all - see the hairline crack ~11 oclock to the left of the title? its almost rectangular shape and goes up to (but not including) the ridge. It is NOT loose, but should that be something to be concerned with??
Question for y'all - see the hairline crack ~11 oclock to the left of the title? its almost rectangular shape and goes up to (but not including) the ridge. It is NOT loose, but should that be something to be concerned with??
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
Autozone sells an E4 inverted torx socket. Also, per Wayne, do not force the Opti-Spark. When it is aligned correctly it will slide right on. How do I know? 
Live and learn. If someone says it takes them 3 hours to do a job, I will find away to make it 6 hours. Good luck.
Live and learn. If someone says it takes them 3 hours to do a job, I will find away to make it 6 hours. Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
Ok this gives me an excuse to post a pic of the lightly used AC Delco opti I just received. You can see the key
Question for y'all - see the hairline crack ~11 oclock to the left of the title? its almost rectangular shape and goes up to (but not including) the ridge. It is NOT loose, but should that be something to be concerned with??
Question for y'all - see the hairline crack ~11 oclock to the left of the title? its almost rectangular shape and goes up to (but not including) the ridge. It is NOT loose, but should that be something to be concerned with??
Last edited by VinceAD; May 1, 2008 at 09:50 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: powhatan va.
looks like it may be a casting defect. if you cant see through the crack or if a VERY slight tap with a hammer doesnt break it it will probly be ok. there isnt really a lot of pressure or force in the area of the dist.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
Thanks geist for the picture. I didn't look at it close enough to see that notch. If this is the case then the torx bit isn't a big issue except to take the original apart.
Using a regular torx head bolt as a tool is a great idea !!!!
All this started because of the water pump so it wont be too bad to get at it since all the hoses are now new. Also got a plug wire set since I am in there. Looks like the worst part of this job is getting the balancer off.
Using a regular torx head bolt as a tool is a great idea !!!!
All this started because of the water pump so it wont be too bad to get at it since all the hoses are now new. Also got a plug wire set since I am in there. Looks like the worst part of this job is getting the balancer off.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
Thanks geist for the picture. I didn't look at it close enough to see that notch. If this is the case then the torx bit isn't a big issue except to take the original apart.
Using a regular torx head bolt as a tool is a great idea !!!!
All this started because of the water pump so it wont be too bad to get at it since all the hoses are now new. Also got a plug wire set since I am in there. Looks like the worst part of this job is getting the balancer off.
Using a regular torx head bolt as a tool is a great idea !!!!
All this started because of the water pump so it wont be too bad to get at it since all the hoses are now new. Also got a plug wire set since I am in there. Looks like the worst part of this job is getting the balancer off.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 10
From: Apple Valley MN
The balancer is not that bad. After taking out the three bolts(I think 16mm) I got under the car and used a long skinny pull handle to tap/bang it loose. Others I think have used blocks of wood from the top. The crank will turn when trying to loosing the bolts. Also, remember patience when doing the plugs and wires
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
The balancer is not that bad. After taking out the three bolts(I think 16mm) I got under the car and used a long skinny pull handle to tap/bang it loose. Others I think have used blocks of wood from the top. The crank will turn when trying to loosing the bolts. Also, remember patience when doing the plugs and wires
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 10
From: Apple Valley MN
How the he11 did you get at this from underneath? There is a frame piece directly under the pulley. Front is blocked by steering rack. I can get at it from the top and got the 3 bolts out now what? Those that have been using a 2x4 did you put it on the top of the pulley and hit it? What about a puller of some sort, does it take the entire hub off or just the pulley/balancer?
TheAngelOfDeath, I just traced the outline of the rotor after I had the cap off.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 87
They'll sort of "pop" on when you get it aligned right. Don't force it though, and don't buy an opti off of ebay unless you want to go back in there and do it all again.
Friend showed me a trick with the inverted torx bit. Remove one from the plate above your throttle body, and clamp it into a set of visegrips, don't crush the threads of course, and it works great.
Friend showed me a trick with the inverted torx bit. Remove one from the plate above your throttle body, and clamp it into a set of visegrips, don't crush the threads of course, and it works great.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Powhatan Virginia
I removed the crank pulley from the top---after removing the 3 bolts which attach it to the hub--I soaked the area of the hub and pulley with PB Blaster( as another post had stated) and let it sit overnight--in fact for good measure I sprayed it again right before I went to bed--next morning I put a large screwdriver/prybar between the balancer and the opti-spark and tapped with a brass hammer approx. 180 degrees away from the prybar alternating left side to right side with the prybar and hammer all the while sorta "walking " the balancer off the hub---the difficulty varies here depending on the amount of rust between hub and balancer---any penetrating oil MAY work I just prefer PB BLASTER 'cause I've had good luck with it---I didn't crack/break the cap on my opti while prying--- but it didn't matter anyway 'cause I was installing a new one ---Patience is the key here!!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
Finally got it off !!!!! Ended up using 2 ball joint/tie rod splitters to wedge it loose. I don't think it was as much rust vs just a very tight tolerance fit. They probably put it on hot and it shrinks to fit?
Got all the plug wires except the ones that are on the drivers side where they disappear into the dark abis. Decided it was a good time to take a break before something got broke. Any tips to pull these wires thru?
Got all the plug wires except the ones that are on the drivers side where they disappear into the dark abis. Decided it was a good time to take a break before something got broke. Any tips to pull these wires thru?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
I removed the Power Steering pump pulley and the belt tensioner which really opens up that area. The tensioner is easy, one bolt, the ps pulley requires a puller. I don't own one yet, they are like $28 at autozone, I borrowed one from a friend. I have borrowed it often enough that I really need to buy one. Anyway, even with those out of the way, I needed to loosen up the bolts holding the ps pump in place to thread the wires through.
