Opti Problem NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID ??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
Opti Problem NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID ??
I know people say there is no such thing as a stupid question but that depends on who has the answers.
I know many posts have been made on removing the opti spark but I really need claification please. I have a 94 C4 LT1 when removing the crank pulley do I need to remove the center bolt as well or just the 3 outer bolts? I have removed the three outer bolts and have tried to remove the pulley but was unsuccessful even using a puller. Do to my difficult time it has me wondering if there is a washer or if the center bolt may be my problem but i have also read in many post concerning this that it seems that all you need to remove in the three outer bolts. I may just need to try harder on getting it off or depending on the answer i have been working against my self by leaving the center/hub bolt in. Thank you all for the wealth of info that has been made available if it wasn't for everyone I would have never even attempted this on my own which remains to be seen if I should have or not.
Andy
I know many posts have been made on removing the opti spark but I really need claification please. I have a 94 C4 LT1 when removing the crank pulley do I need to remove the center bolt as well or just the 3 outer bolts? I have removed the three outer bolts and have tried to remove the pulley but was unsuccessful even using a puller. Do to my difficult time it has me wondering if there is a washer or if the center bolt may be my problem but i have also read in many post concerning this that it seems that all you need to remove in the three outer bolts. I may just need to try harder on getting it off or depending on the answer i have been working against my self by leaving the center/hub bolt in. Thank you all for the wealth of info that has been made available if it wasn't for everyone I would have never even attempted this on my own which remains to be seen if I should have or not.Andy
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
All you have to do is remove the three balancer bolts. Soak the balancer at the hub with PB Blaster. Get under the car and tap beat the balancer forward with something soft like a piece of wood. It will help to turn the crank a time or two in between taps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
The center bolt holds the hub onto the crank. What you need to do is remove the pulley, leaving the hub in place. So take the three bolts off, leave the center hub bolt in place.
Then tap, or drive, the pulley off of the hub. Hope this helps.
Then tap, or drive, the pulley off of the hub. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
Guys that helps a bunch and it gives me a solid direction to go into as now i know that i am not trying to remove something that might have been bolted on still. Thanks once again.
Andy
Andy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
I did it just like this a few weeks ago and it fell right off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 771
Likes: 0
From: Washington District of Columbia
HuH! ? ? ? ? ?
Are you all saying that you don't need a "Puller" to remove the
"balancer/pulley" (they are the same—right?). I am in the process of changing just the wires — and that alone is a hell-of-an experience
since its my first time with the st.... design. I might try tackling the
"nemesis" OPTI next time.
"Duun duuunnn"!: It would be nice if someone of you could "detail" the Opti Removal, starting at this point. PLEASE, "PRETTY PLEASE".
THANKS
"balancer/pulley" (they are the same—right?). I am in the process of changing just the wires — and that alone is a hell-of-an experience
since its my first time with the st.... design. I might try tackling the
"nemesis" OPTI next time.
"Duun duuunnn"!: It would be nice if someone of you could "detail" the Opti Removal, starting at this point. PLEASE, "PRETTY PLEASE". THANKS
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
No puller needed to pull the balancer/dampner. You only need a puller when pulling the balancer's hub, and the hub stays on in an opti change.
Last edited by STL94LT1; Mar 14, 2009 at 08:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
around here the pulley and hub grow together due to rust, puller is reqd to separate 'em...knock the rust off the 'mating' surfaces and coat with grease for 'next time' ez off.
btw, the pulley has threaded holes for puller grab, 5/16-18 IIRC
btw, the pulley has threaded holes for puller grab, 5/16-18 IIRC
Last edited by redrose; Mar 14, 2009 at 08:23 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
This is often overlooked, as many a balancer has been destroyed because of it.
Make make sure that you put the piece of wood on the inside portion of the pully/balancer, as they are a 2 piece design held together by a large rubber gasket. If you pound the outside of the balancer, you will distort the rubber gasket and have a wobbly balancer. Then you will have destroyed it and have to replace it. Hit it on the inside and no damage will occur. You can give it some good hefty whacks using a hand sledge. Rotate the crank after each 2 or 3 whacks. It will come off.
Make make sure that you put the piece of wood on the inside portion of the pully/balancer, as they are a 2 piece design held together by a large rubber gasket. If you pound the outside of the balancer, you will distort the rubber gasket and have a wobbly balancer. Then you will have destroyed it and have to replace it. Hit it on the inside and no damage will occur. You can give it some good hefty whacks using a hand sledge. Rotate the crank after each 2 or 3 whacks. It will come off.
