Over hauling Opti?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 33
From: Charlotte Michigan
Over hauling Opti?
When I put a different engine in last year with one with less than 33000 miles, I replaced the opti at the time. I'm sure the original was ok, but can that be bench tested? And how, if it can? I would like it as a backup for the future. Do those overhaul kits good quality components? This is a 93, so I would like to add the vents to it. I have seen that posted on the forum but not the overhaul.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 332
Likes: 24
From: Denton, TX My goal in life is to be as good of a person that my dog already thinks I am.
I'am also interested in hearing input on this. I replaced my original opti ('95) at 115,000 only because I had to replace the water pump and figured I was half way into the job. I kept the old opti in case of a rebuild. My question is will a new rotor and cap be all that it needs, or should I toss it because are there other parts that are equally worn?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I believe it's doable, and I have a old failed unit I'm going to try on ...someday.
I dont' believe the optical sensor ever goes bad or fails....I believe it gets contaminated with crud, and that interferes w/the transmission and receiving of light. I believe the lenses can be cleaned and the sensor will continue working.
The only other remaining issue is the bearing, which I'm confident a replacement can be sourced.
I dont' believe the optical sensor ever goes bad or fails....I believe it gets contaminated with crud, and that interferes w/the transmission and receiving of light. I believe the lenses can be cleaned and the sensor will continue working.
The only other remaining issue is the bearing, which I'm confident a replacement can be sourced.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 332
Likes: 24
From: Denton, TX My goal in life is to be as good of a person that my dog already thinks I am.
The only other remaining issue is the bearing, which I'm confident a replacement can be sourced.[/QUOTE]
I agree with the bearing being an issue. Maybe someone can chime in with some knowledge about this.
I agree with the bearing being an issue. Maybe someone can chime in with some knowledge about this.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,847
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Yes, bearings can go bad
Mine was fine when I replace the cap & rotor.
Like any distributor the cap & rotor wears out.
I had quite a bit of crud on the optics
You should be able to run it with a drill and hook it up a scope
Mine was fine when I replace the cap & rotor.
Like any distributor the cap & rotor wears out.
I had quite a bit of crud on the optics
You should be able to run it with a drill and hook it up a scope
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
The optical sensors can be tested with a scope. I did it at work about 8 or 10 years ago. You have to supply 5 volts and have a pull down (or up, can't remember) resistor as a load. I did it for the low and high resolution signals.
I remember I had to change the circuitry around from the way I thought it should be wired for it to function. It did not make sense but I just wanted to see the pulses. Used a drill to turn it steady so I could sync the scope up. It was just a fun thing and challenge to do.
I remember I had to change the circuitry around from the way I thought it should be wired for it to function. It did not make sense but I just wanted to see the pulses. Used a drill to turn it steady so I could sync the scope up. It was just a fun thing and challenge to do.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Not if one expected to maintain the 360* resolution and keep it packaged in the same space.
I've worked on these before in other cars, where they are extremely reliable. 1 car was a Dodge Stealth RT/TT (remember those?). Got water on/in it from washing the motor and it wouldn't start. I took it apart, drew a kleenex through the sensor groove to clean/dry it, and that fixed it. Another was a Nissan XTerra, same deal, except the sensor had just gotten dirty and it ran like crap. I cleaned the sensor in that too, using brake cleaner, then Kleenex and Windex. Worked great after that.
I submit that many (most) Opti's get changed that need little more than a cleaning and a new bearing, cap and rotor.
I've worked on these before in other cars, where they are extremely reliable. 1 car was a Dodge Stealth RT/TT (remember those?). Got water on/in it from washing the motor and it wouldn't start. I took it apart, drew a kleenex through the sensor groove to clean/dry it, and that fixed it. Another was a Nissan XTerra, same deal, except the sensor had just gotten dirty and it ran like crap. I cleaned the sensor in that too, using brake cleaner, then Kleenex and Windex. Worked great after that.
I submit that many (most) Opti's get changed that need little more than a cleaning and a new bearing, cap and rotor.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski