You folks were right. Replacing the Opti-Spark and water pump is going to be about 1 on the 10 scale except for removing the hub. What a bear! Does GM or anyone make a tool to simplify this deal. Mine is frozen with rust. I don't have a puller that will fit in the available space that will pull this darn thing.

 

Yes, there is a tool specifically for it if you can find it and want to pay the bucks for it.

Don't try Autozone, the one they gave me was a joke and won't work.

Do some research, there are lots of threads on this subject. Most will say just be persistent. It may be frustrating but it will come off.

 

We just finished a thread on this subject. Try the search feature.

 

Why are you removing the hub? You only need to remove the balancer from the hub.

 

He's right, I wasn't paying attention close enough.

 

So you don't have to remove the crankshaft pulley to pull the Opti-Spark unit? That is what I call it (crankshaft pulley). A real mechanic neighbor referred to it as the balancing hub. Is there a breakdown in communication here due to folks using different terms for the same part?

 

The damper or balancer which has the grooves for the serp belt is attached to the hub which fits on the crank. The damper or balancer is held onto the hub by bolts which have to come out and then the fun begins. The damper or balancer can be rusted onto the hub and most guys have to get under the Vette and using a 1" dowel about 2 feet long, tap the balancer off the hub. Now you should be able to remove the opti.

 

Stock damper (balancer) next to an ATI Super Damper that I have on my 383. This is all you have to remove. (note: the balancer is sitting on the hub just for the pic)



Hub (this was during re-installation on another job after I had changed the crank seal)

 

Thanks!!! Exactly as I thought before I started. I even asked if I should run it up on ramps, Jackstands or do it flat? All the know-it-alls said it is all accessible from up top, what are you thinking, they all thought I was stupid. At 6'3" it would have been more comfortable in the air even if I didn't have to get underneath.A couple got confrontational and then said they were hazing me because I was a newbie. How infantile. I just came here looking for help and caught a bunch of Frat boys that have probably never been under a hood. I think my next investment will be to $150.00 to purchase the GM shop manuals. The mechanic that lives across the street just came over and he said the best advice I can give you is stay away from this forum. He said I probably had more practical knowledge than 90% of the people on the site anyway. I have been a gear head since I was born. My Father went to Nashville Auto Diesel College. Some of the folks were rather sarcastic about the things I said and then in private replies they found out I knew of what i spoke it was just before their time that my knowledge applied. If I can't find a small group here that just wants to talk cars this may be my last posting.

I enjoyed a knowledgable no nonsense reply.

Enjoy Your Freedom-Prayfor Our Troops,
Ricky Westfield

 

Thanks to everyone that responded. It was a pleasure to get some good advice from knowledgable folks without all the crap. I have added all of you to my contact or friends list. You have restored my faith in forums. I have a slight physical impairment that makes things a bit more difficult now but I got my car up on stands last night and will probably finish up today. I hope each of you will accept me so that I will have a few folks I can contact for real info and confirm that what I think needs to be done is correct. The pics were great!

Enjoy Your Freedom-Pray for Our Troops,
Ricky Westfield

 

Lets forget that thread that got ugly. This is a wonderful forum with experts available and willing to help. I've learned more from this forum in the 8-9 years I've been here. Along with the FSM, I haven't found anything about the C4 that I couldn't figure out. We may disagree on which catback exhaust is the best or which oil to use, but most guys have their reasons and support their reasons with good arguements. Okay, off my soap box.

 

I did this job a couple of weeks ago so it's still fresh in my mind.
First, I tried to bang it off with a hammer and long steel rod. People said that a few taps should get it right off. Right! Not gonna happen.

I went to Advance auto Parts and rented a gear puller (free after return).

I had to dismantle it somewhat to get it to fit over the balancer. (removed the center screw, then put the jaws on the pulley.) I threaded the long screw through a gap in the power steering line and started turning. It was off in a couple of minutes. Did everything from the top of the engine.

Brother, I feel your pain!
Good luck!

 

Just a reminder, the outer ring of the balancer is only held on by the rubber ring. If too much force is applied, it may slide off then it's time for a new damper.

 

I thought there might be a toool made by or GM for this job. I wish I had gotten this earlier.After about 3 hours of in and out, breaks, kicking, and swearing I quit for the day Sunday. I woke up at 1:00 a.m. Monday thinking. That can be dangerous for me. I had jacked mine up just high enough to squeeze in and couldn't deliver much of a blow. So I go out tothe garage and raise it until I hear a cracking sound. The hood was up and poked a hole in the ceiling. No damage to my car, pretty lucky! Anyway I lowered the hood and got both sides up a couple of feet. I could deliver some good blows and I only came out once to turn it and the second trip under It popped off. I didn't consider the damper but I think I dodged that bullet too. No matter how many cars you have worked on it seems that you have to get to know the litle quirks of each one kinda like folks are.
Thanks for all the help! As soon as I clean the water pump gasket off the engine I am ready to reassemble and enjoy driving instead of working on my Vette.

 

Glad to hear you got it off without any real problems. To me, working on the Vette is fun, but I do enjoy the results of my work.