94 LT1 distributor installation
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
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94 LT1 distributor installation
Helms book says that I am going to need to loosen motor mounts, remove oil cooler, and raise engine to remove the crankshaft balancer to access the distro. Do I really need to do all that?! (I was hoping that I could get at it from the top, without even lifting the car)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Austin Texas
Throw away the book on this job.... Use search function on "Optispark" and you will learn all the tricks. Don't even touch your motor mounts or oil cooler.....also, make sure you replace the Opti seal and the WP seal on the front of the timing chain cover too.......
Team Owner
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From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
No Corvette LT1's came from the factory with an oil cooler.
I've changed my opti it's not that bad.
I've changed my opti it's not that bad.
Last edited by BrianCunningham; Oct 6, 2008 at 05:55 PM.
Melting Slicks
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From: Austin Texas
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Orlando FL
With my automatic you can not lock the engine (like manual) to tighten and loosen the 3 balancer bolts. So I came up with a method using an impact wrench (I’m sure not original). Using the exact combinations for length of extension, universal and socket I was able to get the impact wrench up in line with the balancer and in between the radiator. Removing and installing the bolts are a piece of cake. I also made up a tap switch for the solenoid so I can hit the switch and rotate the engine while laying under the car on my back to line up the bolt for the socket. There is only one position it fits in to get at one bolt at a time.
Never had to touch the mounts. The tough job was getting the balancer off after the bolts were out. Don’t believe it had been off in +10 years and took me over a 2 day period of a few pounding sessions to get it off the first time (super frozen). As said, get a long rod. Now after light emery and lube it falls off.
Never had to touch the mounts. The tough job was getting the balancer off after the bolts were out. Don’t believe it had been off in +10 years and took me over a 2 day period of a few pounding sessions to get it off the first time (super frozen). As said, get a long rod. Now after light emery and lube it falls off.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
With my automatic you can not lock the engine (like manual) to tighten and loosen the 3 balancer bolts. So I came up with a method using an impact wrench (I’m sure not original). Using the exact combinations for length of extension, universal and socket I was able to get the impact wrench up in line with the balancer and in between the radiator. Removing and installing the bolts are a piece of cake. .
No offense, but this is crazy !!! You just need 2 sockets, one goes in the center bolt that holds the hub on, and the other to loosen the 3 bolts holding on the balancer/pully to the hub. Holding the hub center bolt keeps the engine from turning while you are loosening the 3 bolts.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Orlando FL
No offense, but this is crazy !!! You just need 2 sockets, one goes in the center bolt that holds the hub on, and the other to loosen the 3 bolts holding on the balancer/pully to the hub. Holding the hub center bolt keeps the engine from turning while you are loosening the 3 boltsFor me, my method works nice especially on bolts that haven’t moved in 10 years.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Melting Slicks
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Last edited by MK 82; Oct 8, 2008 at 11:26 PM.
Team Owner
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Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Are you installing a new water pump?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
You need to remove the PS cooler if you have the LT4 engine. Trust me, I know this, after two LT1 engines I was wondering why the LT4 balancer would not come off. Obviously, the LT4 has a different (thicker)balancer. Your 94 LT1, stick an allen wrench to prevent the engine from rotating, use a 5/8 remove bolts, remove balancer with a puller or take the 2x2 advice given. Replace all O rings.
Are you installing a new water pump?
Are you installing a new water pump?
I've never removed the ps cooler to change the Opti on an LT4 car.
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Instructor
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Thanks to all for the tips. The good news is that I replaced the plugs, and my problem is solved - so hopefully I won't be attacking the opti any time soon! One of the plugs had a cracked insulator - other than that they looked great - all a nice light tan color. Not bad for a car with 140K miles (plugs, wires and opti were replaced at 80K).
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
In Stock - Reproduction of Original Publication
Contains Factory Authorized Service information written by General Motors.
Contains Factory Authorized Service information written by General Motors.
Saying Helms and the FSM are the same thing is like saying Simon & Schuster, Inc and Stephen King are the same thing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Palm Beach
Spin it how you want. I bought my Red Genuine GM FSM from Helms. Helm is a bookstore.
For the last time, Helms distributes the FSM. There is no Helms manual. People tend to call the FSM the Helms manual out of habit.
Helm was founded in 1943 as a commercial trade bindery and at the time was the largest bindery in the Detroit area. In 1959 the Ford Motor Company asked Helm to distribute their service manuals after binding them. This launched Helm into the automotive publication fulfillment and distribution business. Today, Helm provides fulfillment and distribution services for Ford Motor Company, all divisions of General Motors, American Honda Motor Company, Jaguar Cars, Isuzu Motors America, Kia Motors America, Hyundai Motors America, American Suzuki, and Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD). Helm fulfills over 625,000 factory authorized publication orders annually - accounting for over 70 percent of the market. In 1998, Helm strengthened its position as the leading distributor of automotive and motorcycle publications when it launched its web based online ordering system.
Are you confusing Haynes and Helm?
For the last time, Helms distributes the FSM. There is no Helms manual. People tend to call the FSM the Helms manual out of habit.
Helm was founded in 1943 as a commercial trade bindery and at the time was the largest bindery in the Detroit area. In 1959 the Ford Motor Company asked Helm to distribute their service manuals after binding them. This launched Helm into the automotive publication fulfillment and distribution business. Today, Helm provides fulfillment and distribution services for Ford Motor Company, all divisions of General Motors, American Honda Motor Company, Jaguar Cars, Isuzu Motors America, Kia Motors America, Hyundai Motors America, American Suzuki, and Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD). Helm fulfills over 625,000 factory authorized publication orders annually - accounting for over 70 percent of the market. In 1998, Helm strengthened its position as the leading distributor of automotive and motorcycle publications when it launched its web based online ordering system.
Are you confusing Haynes and Helm?
Last edited by MK 82; Oct 9, 2008 at 04:40 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
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Spin it how you want. I bought my Red Genuine GM FSM from Helms. Helm is a bookstore.
For the last time, Helms distributes the FSM. There is no Helms manual. People tend to call the FSM the Helms manual out of habit.
Helm was founded in 1943 as a commercial trade bindery and at the time was the largest bindery in the Detroit area. In 1959 the Ford Motor Company asked Helm to distribute their service manuals after binding them. This launched Helm into the automotive publication fulfillment and distribution business. Today, Helm provides fulfillment and distribution services for Ford Motor Company, all divisions of General Motors, American Honda Motor Company, Jaguar Cars, Isuzu Motors America, Kia Motors America, Hyundai Motors America, American Suzuki, and Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD). Helm fulfills over 625,000 factory authorized publication orders annually - accounting for over 70 percent of the market. In 1998, Helm strengthened its position as the leading distributor of automotive and motorcycle publications when it launched its web based online ordering system.
Are you confusing Haynes and Helm?
For the last time, Helms distributes the FSM. There is no Helms manual. People tend to call the FSM the Helms manual out of habit.
Helm was founded in 1943 as a commercial trade bindery and at the time was the largest bindery in the Detroit area. In 1959 the Ford Motor Company asked Helm to distribute their service manuals after binding them. This launched Helm into the automotive publication fulfillment and distribution business. Today, Helm provides fulfillment and distribution services for Ford Motor Company, all divisions of General Motors, American Honda Motor Company, Jaguar Cars, Isuzu Motors America, Kia Motors America, Hyundai Motors America, American Suzuki, and Florists' Transworld Delivery (FTD). Helm fulfills over 625,000 factory authorized publication orders annually - accounting for over 70 percent of the market. In 1998, Helm strengthened its position as the leading distributor of automotive and motorcycle publications when it launched its web based online ordering system.
Are you confusing Haynes and Helm?