My '96 hates me.........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,938
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
That's a very good link Mike, thanks! I know mine wasn't as long as the CC's one. A guess would put it about 1/2 inch.I also had to tap mine in. It came out with the cam sprocket when I was aligning the chain. The opti also just clicked on when I installed it. Wouldn't the pin being long keep it from doing that? Anyway, like I said, if I get that far I will check it.
Thanks guys, I really appreciate all of this!
Thanks guys, I really appreciate all of this!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Checked a couple of things this afternoon. Noid light says injectors are getting current, Coil has plenty of spark, so are the plugs and all fuses are ok. It's looking like it's opti time again especially since that was the last thing I really changed. I ordered a new Delphi from that ladi. I'm thinking maybe Steve40th is on to something with the cam dowel pin length. I did measure my old OE cam and it was .652 from the cam itself. It's very possible that this is what went wrong with my cam swap and a different GM opti. The motor just would not produce any hp over 4500. I will be checking this when I get into it that far. A lot of blame goes into these opti's. I wondering how much of it the actual opti at fault or the way it was installed. Thanks Steve for reminding me of this dowel pin!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
I'm pulling for you!!!! I can relate on projects from HELL....I've certainly had my share. That ladi is quick I ordered something Monday....and installed it this morning.......
(New OEM coolant tank)
(New OEM coolant tank)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
My 96' kept me waiting for 20 minutes in a Walmart parking lot this week with a vats problem......with not even a click....then it runs like it never had a problem. I went home and changed keys.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
LOL, I was actually thinking today who would ask about a update since I haven't updated this thread. You win Mike!
Okay, so here it is:
I got the new opti today but I'm going to have to wait a couple of days to install it. I'm just not happy with the way it feels when I go to line it up and install it. There's a slight space between the opti brackets and the timing cover and yes I'm putting it in the correct slot. So, I've decided to get a single roller chain to replace the double roller I have on there now. I ordered one form Lunati it will be here by Thursday just in time for a Sat. work session. Something is killing these optis and if it's not the DR because of a spacing issue I have no idea what it might be. I have checked the cam pin length and it is right where it should be.
So that's where it is at the moment. Thanks for asking Mike
Okay, so here it is:
I got the new opti today but I'm going to have to wait a couple of days to install it. I'm just not happy with the way it feels when I go to line it up and install it. There's a slight space between the opti brackets and the timing cover and yes I'm putting it in the correct slot. So, I've decided to get a single roller chain to replace the double roller I have on there now. I ordered one form Lunati it will be here by Thursday just in time for a Sat. work session. Something is killing these optis and if it's not the DR because of a spacing issue I have no idea what it might be. I have checked the cam pin length and it is right where it should be.
So that's where it is at the moment. Thanks for asking Mike
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
LOL, I was actually thinking today who would ask about a update since I haven't updated this thread. You win Mike!
Okay, so here it is:
I got the new opti today but I'm going to have to wait a couple of days to install it. I'm just not happy with the way it feels when I go to line it up and install it. There's a slight space between the opti brackets and the timing cover and yes I'm putting it in the correct slot. So, I've decided to get a single roller chain to replace the double roller I have on there now. I ordered one form Lunati it will be here by Thursday just in time for a Sat. work session. Something is killing these optis and if it's not the DR because of a spacing issue I have no idea what it might be. I have checked the cam pin length and it is right where it should be.
So that's where it is at the moment. Thanks for asking Mike
Okay, so here it is:
I got the new opti today but I'm going to have to wait a couple of days to install it. I'm just not happy with the way it feels when I go to line it up and install it. There's a slight space between the opti brackets and the timing cover and yes I'm putting it in the correct slot. So, I've decided to get a single roller chain to replace the double roller I have on there now. I ordered one form Lunati it will be here by Thursday just in time for a Sat. work session. Something is killing these optis and if it's not the DR because of a spacing issue I have no idea what it might be. I have checked the cam pin length and it is right where it should be.
So that's where it is at the moment. Thanks for asking Mike
Are you aware that putting in a new timing chain and gearset "may" change your cam timing?
Will it matter? Prolly not, but without re-degreeing it, you will not be sure where the cam is phased.
I realise my comments may border on insanity, but with your recent luck is it worth taking a chance?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Mike,
Are you aware that putting in a new timing chain and gearset "may" change your cam timing?
Will it matter? Prolly not, but without re-degreeing it, you will not be sure where the cam is phased.
I realise my comments may border on insanity, but with your recent luck is it worth taking a chance?
Are you aware that putting in a new timing chain and gearset "may" change your cam timing?
Will it matter? Prolly not, but without re-degreeing it, you will not be sure where the cam is phased.
I realise my comments may border on insanity, but with your recent luck is it worth taking a chance?
Changing timing set and getting dots aligned correctly in the car is a biyotch and on a big cam one tooth off can equal 8 bent valves.
Getting cover off means dropping the oil pan....another PITA. Honestly its a lot of work personally I'd pull the engine before I'd do all that in the car. Although I can pull an engine quickly, in your situation I'd leave the double roller alone .....but its your car and if you don't feel comfortable with it now ...you probably will never be comfortable with it so do what you need to IOT get your warm fuzzy.
MIke
Last edited by aboatguy; Dec 30, 2009 at 10:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,938
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Mike, When you took the cover off to degree your cam was there interference within the cover? If not, Changing chains is allot of work, unless there is a rubbing or its affecting something else. Lots of people use the chain you are using.
Think it over till next year.
Think it over till next year.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
ok,ok,ok........
I'll leave the DR in there. I didn't want to drop the pan anyway. It is a pain!
Tell me this though. why won't the opti go up flush with the timing cover. It's stops about 1/8 or so away from it. I figured it was hitting the cam bolts because the pin is plenty short enough for it not to hit it and this is sending vibrations into the opti and that is what is ruining them. My thinking was that the cam sprocket may be thicker on the DR. This is probably all wrong but it seems logical. What if I do this? If I put a couple of washers between the opti mounting bracket and the timing cover to space the opti out what would it hurt as long as the opti case cleared the hub and damper? It would still be in the seal plenty far enough and the pin will still catch.
I'll leave the DR in there. I didn't want to drop the pan anyway. It is a pain!Tell me this though. why won't the opti go up flush with the timing cover. It's stops about 1/8 or so away from it. I figured it was hitting the cam bolts because the pin is plenty short enough for it not to hit it and this is sending vibrations into the opti and that is what is ruining them. My thinking was that the cam sprocket may be thicker on the DR. This is probably all wrong but it seems logical. What if I do this? If I put a couple of washers between the opti mounting bracket and the timing cover to space the opti out what would it hurt as long as the opti case cleared the hub and damper? It would still be in the seal plenty far enough and the pin will still catch.
Last edited by Weav's Vet; Jan 1, 2010 at 06:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,938
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
If it isnt going all the way on, there are a couple things I can think of.
The hole in the front of the camshaft isnt allwoing the opti to go in. It could have been drilled for a 94 or older.
The dowel pin is a way out too far, but I think you determined that it is fine.
And, the area the dowel goes into the opti is wrong, simply it is being put in the wrong slot. You can, and people have, forced the opti in the wrong slot. On aftermaket cams, the dowel was made by that particular company, and may not be as thick, causing it to be able to go into any of the slots.
These are all suggestions and possiblities.
The hole in the front of the camshaft isnt allwoing the opti to go in. It could have been drilled for a 94 or older.
The dowel pin is a way out too far, but I think you determined that it is fine.
And, the area the dowel goes into the opti is wrong, simply it is being put in the wrong slot. You can, and people have, forced the opti in the wrong slot. On aftermaket cams, the dowel was made by that particular company, and may not be as thick, causing it to be able to go into any of the slots.
These are all suggestions and possiblities.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
That's the slot I have used on two optis and I'm positive I'm using it on #3. Once again I checked the dowel pin and it is within specs.
I'm using motor oil on the 0 rings.
What I'm afraid of guys is if I put this one on it's just going to go bad like the other two did. I know for a fact the 2nd one worked because it worked when I started this mess a couple of months ago. The first one could have been bad out of the box, who knows. That's over 500.00 in optis alone!
I'm using motor oil on the 0 rings.
What I'm afraid of guys is if I put this one on it's just going to go bad like the other two did. I know for a fact the 2nd one worked because it worked when I started this mess a couple of months ago. The first one could have been bad out of the box, who knows. That's over 500.00 in optis alone!