distributor cap replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Louisville ky
distributor cap replacement
I have a 93 LT1, I blew a radiator hose about 3 weeks ago.......after using a blow dryer on the cap no help. Then yesterday, with fingers crossed and a prayer.....it started up....running rough but running. I let it sit in the driveway for several minutes when suddenly it sputtered and would not start. Then today, I put the key in and it fired up just fine....running smooth I sat for a few minutes then decided to take it for a spin to warm the motor up......got five blocks from home and it suddenly sputters and then dies and will not fire at all. I am writing this post while waiting for it to cool down....hoping as soon as it gets cold it will fire up and I can get it home. Oreillys says it sounds like I need a new ignition module/cap assembly. How hard is it going to be to replace the dist. cap.? It looks pretty tight in there. Will the water pump have to be removed first? Please say no....
Sorry, I transfered this thread into the general topics.....
Sorry, I transfered this thread into the general topics.....
Last edited by t-93; Nov 22, 2008 at 04:00 PM. Reason: put in wrong forumn
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
At the minimum you're going to be removing the duct between the air filter and the throttle body, the belt, the water pump and its hoses, and the balancer from its hub.
With respect to the amount of work it takes to get there, it makes sense to replace the entire unit and the plug wires as well as anything else that's been there from day one. The cost of a good cap kit (Napa over $200) is close to what you can buy the whole opti for.
I didn't realize you could get a whole opti that cheaply when I did mine so I bought the Echlin cap kit. Luckily the unit was in perfect shape otherwise. But I did replace every piece of hose, the belt tensioner and idler, and did a lot of cleaning up. It was well worth the effort.
With respect to the amount of work it takes to get there, it makes sense to replace the entire unit and the plug wires as well as anything else that's been there from day one. The cost of a good cap kit (Napa over $200) is close to what you can buy the whole opti for.
I didn't realize you could get a whole opti that cheaply when I did mine so I bought the Echlin cap kit. Luckily the unit was in perfect shape otherwise. But I did replace every piece of hose, the belt tensioner and idler, and did a lot of cleaning up. It was well worth the effort.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Sounds to me like the guy at the auto parts store thought you had a distributor which has the module under the cap. On the LT1, the module is mounted separately on the passenger side cylinder head; at least on my 96 it is.
So unless the coolant actually sprays over into that area, I suspect the module wasn't effected. Of course, you can unscrew it and have O'Reilly's, AutoZone, etc., test it.
I've read posts where guys have had to same problem as you and just let the Opti dryout over a few days and all was well. Maybe that'll work for you too.
Jake
So unless the coolant actually sprays over into that area, I suspect the module wasn't effected. Of course, you can unscrew it and have O'Reilly's, AutoZone, etc., test it.
I've read posts where guys have had to same problem as you and just let the Opti dryout over a few days and all was well. Maybe that'll work for you too.
Jake
Last edited by JAKE; Nov 22, 2008 at 06:03 PM. Reason: CHANGE "WAS EFFECTED" to "WASN'T EFFECTED"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
What hose was it? If coolant got into the opti, it is probably toast. Sounds like the beginning of the end.
Be sure to install a new water pump while you are in there also.
Sorry to be so Opti-mystic!
Be sure to install a new water pump while you are in there also.
Sorry to be so Opti-mystic!
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
From: Humble Texas
I have a 93 LT1, I blew a radiator hose about 3 weeks ago.......after using a blow dryer on the cap no help. Then yesterday, with fingers crossed and a prayer.....it started up....running rough but running. I let it sit in the driveway for several minutes when suddenly it sputtered and would not start. Then today, I put the key in and it fired up just fine....running smooth I sat for a few minutes then decided to take it for a spin to warm the motor up......got five blocks from home and it suddenly sputters and then dies and will not fire at all. I am writing this post while waiting for it to cool down....hoping as soon as it gets cold it will fire up and I can get it home. Oreillys says it sounds like I need a new ignition module/cap assembly. How hard is it going to be to replace the dist. cap.? It looks pretty tight in there. Will the water pump have to be removed first? Please say no....
Sorry, I transfered this thread into the general topics.....
Sorry, I transfered this thread into the general topics.....
ACCEL OPTI SPARK CAP AND ROTOR $68.00 NORTHERN AUTO PARTS
http://www.northernautoparts.com/Pro...ProductId=2417
