Distributor
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
From: Auburn NH
Distributor
I have a 94 vert and it suddenly started running terrible. Skipping, no power. Has 109k miles. Must be humidity in the distributor. What is the best distributor to buy and where should I get it from. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Good info here from another Forum:
Optispark
I touched on the downfall of the Optispark up top under Definitions, this is more about how to remedy the Optispark.
History
The Optispark (Opti) was introduced in 1991, with the LT1 as part of the 1992 model year. Why did they do the Opti? Even Gordon Killebrew doesn't have a clue.
The Opti is made up of two sides, one side, the side against the engine, is an optical pickup. The pickup is made by Mitsubishi, and is a very reliable component. The optical system reads a disc that has marks in it. On the outer edge are 360 marks, inside that, are four marks. The outer marks create the so called "High Resolution" signal to control timing, the inner marks, or "Low Resolution" are used to signal fuel delivery.
A common shaft joins the optical side with the high voltage side. The high voltage side is similar to any distributor, except it is much thinner. The unique part, the sides of the cap are sequenced, so all the odds are on one side, evens on the other!
In 1995, the second generation of the Opti was released. It has a venting hose and is better constructed.
Problems
Codes can present themselves if an Opti is failing. These codes very by year, but for the earlier versions, codes 16 and 36 are bad(Note: these codes only apply to 1992 - 1995, 1996 uses ODBII and has different codes). This means the optical portion has a problem. Most likely, the error is caused not so much a failure in the optical portion, but the bearings having worn out, causing a wobble in the drive shaft.
A common problem is when coolant from a bad water pump leaks in. Coolant will eat the grease inside the sealed bearings. This causes the common shaft to wobble.
http://www.c4guru.com/modules.php?name=RPOcodes
If there is a wondering idle or a high RPM miss, you can blame a bad cap/rotor. The cap/rotor fails due to carbon tracing, caused by moisture getting into the Opti.
Factory Options
New Optis are available from the dealer. Also available is the Venting Hose Kit, that can be retrofitted to the original cap design.
You can also update an earlier engine to the later Opti, by changing the timing cover and various internal parts related to the timing gear.
I cannot advise a cap/rotor change. The labor is the same... and there is no guarantee that a rotor change will result in a long term repair.
If your car is a 1995 or newer, then a cap/rotor change might just be worth investigating.
Regardless of the vintage, removing the cap and sealing with RV is a good idea. It might not be a bad idea to install a drain hose on the water pump, to direct the weep holes output to the side, instead of on the Opti.
I do not recommend the Ecklers or Mid-America cap venting system. It is a single hose, and as such does not create positive pressure. It might suck some stuff out, but I just don't see how it can without creating a complete loop.
Aftermarket Options
There are now a few options available:
Dyna-Tech - This is a totally re-engineered version of the Opti. A good idea for those who wish to maintain a stock look. It is questionable if Dyna-Tech is still around. I will confirm.
LTCC - This uses eight LS1 coils, and the Opti to read the data needed to fire the coils. www.bailey-eng.com
DelTeq - This is similar to the LTCC, but uses a Northstar coil pack.
MSD - They are now making a replacement Opti, and seems pretty good.
Accel - They, too, are making a replacement. It is cheaper, but you get what you pay for. This unit uses oil-lite bushings instead of bearings. I would be leery of it.
Generic replacement Optis are not recommended. They don't include the cap/rotor and are of questionable reliability.
Optispark
I touched on the downfall of the Optispark up top under Definitions, this is more about how to remedy the Optispark.
History
The Optispark (Opti) was introduced in 1991, with the LT1 as part of the 1992 model year. Why did they do the Opti? Even Gordon Killebrew doesn't have a clue.
The Opti is made up of two sides, one side, the side against the engine, is an optical pickup. The pickup is made by Mitsubishi, and is a very reliable component. The optical system reads a disc that has marks in it. On the outer edge are 360 marks, inside that, are four marks. The outer marks create the so called "High Resolution" signal to control timing, the inner marks, or "Low Resolution" are used to signal fuel delivery.
A common shaft joins the optical side with the high voltage side. The high voltage side is similar to any distributor, except it is much thinner. The unique part, the sides of the cap are sequenced, so all the odds are on one side, evens on the other!
In 1995, the second generation of the Opti was released. It has a venting hose and is better constructed.
Problems
Codes can present themselves if an Opti is failing. These codes very by year, but for the earlier versions, codes 16 and 36 are bad(Note: these codes only apply to 1992 - 1995, 1996 uses ODBII and has different codes). This means the optical portion has a problem. Most likely, the error is caused not so much a failure in the optical portion, but the bearings having worn out, causing a wobble in the drive shaft.
A common problem is when coolant from a bad water pump leaks in. Coolant will eat the grease inside the sealed bearings. This causes the common shaft to wobble.
http://www.c4guru.com/modules.php?name=RPOcodes
If there is a wondering idle or a high RPM miss, you can blame a bad cap/rotor. The cap/rotor fails due to carbon tracing, caused by moisture getting into the Opti.
Factory Options
New Optis are available from the dealer. Also available is the Venting Hose Kit, that can be retrofitted to the original cap design.
You can also update an earlier engine to the later Opti, by changing the timing cover and various internal parts related to the timing gear.
I cannot advise a cap/rotor change. The labor is the same... and there is no guarantee that a rotor change will result in a long term repair.
If your car is a 1995 or newer, then a cap/rotor change might just be worth investigating.
Regardless of the vintage, removing the cap and sealing with RV is a good idea. It might not be a bad idea to install a drain hose on the water pump, to direct the weep holes output to the side, instead of on the Opti.
I do not recommend the Ecklers or Mid-America cap venting system. It is a single hose, and as such does not create positive pressure. It might suck some stuff out, but I just don't see how it can without creating a complete loop.
Aftermarket Options
There are now a few options available:
Dyna-Tech - This is a totally re-engineered version of the Opti. A good idea for those who wish to maintain a stock look. It is questionable if Dyna-Tech is still around. I will confirm.
LTCC - This uses eight LS1 coils, and the Opti to read the data needed to fire the coils. www.bailey-eng.com
DelTeq - This is similar to the LTCC, but uses a Northstar coil pack.
MSD - They are now making a replacement Opti, and seems pretty good.
Accel - They, too, are making a replacement. It is cheaper, but you get what you pay for. This unit uses oil-lite bushings instead of bearings. I would be leery of it.
Generic replacement Optis are not recommended. They don't include the cap/rotor and are of questionable reliability.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
I'm going to go against the "Generic optis are not reccomended"
If you have a non-vented opti - do not get a generic.
Vented opti - I've been surprised with my Summit white box! its lasted all year at extreme RPM, two different engines and all the other abuse that comes from road racing.
Its going on engine number 3 in January.
For other reccomendations do a search for optispark
If you have a non-vented opti - do not get a generic.
Vented opti - I've been surprised with my Summit white box! its lasted all year at extreme RPM, two different engines and all the other abuse that comes from road racing.
Its going on engine number 3 in January.
For other reccomendations do a search for optispark
