My water pump was on the way out, so I decided since I have 87K I'd do the Opti and then it snow ***** to plugs and wires! What a fun job! I wanted to mod the Opti to add a vent. I used the article in Corvette Fever 2/2001. Although it was a good article it lacked some valuable detail that cost me some time and money! :mad I also used Lars tech tip on the Opti, it is very well written, I would only add a few minor things.

Here's what I started with:




Think my water pump was on the way out? :D


Nice mess!


Here's the vent modification to the base of the Opti:


Opti Cap Modified:



The modified unit all together with the harness:


Here's where I ran into a problem. The article was not detailed enough regarding location and clearance of the added vent lines. On top of my modified unit is a 95-96 cap, notice the difference of location of the vent connections.

On my modified cap the vent connection was hitting the crank shaft end, preventing the opti from seating. I put the 95- 96 cap on the Opti, only to discover the vent set up at the base was sticking out too far again preventing the Opti from seating. This was fairly easy to correct, I just shortened the Ts going into the base.

Finally got the Opti installed!


Heres where I picked up vacuum for the vent:


Finished!


I would add a few things to the CF article and Lars tech tip:
1. Remember to close the radiator drain plug after draining system
2. Remember to install the coupling on the water pump
3. Silicone the top of the Opti
4. If you're doing the vent modification keep the vent lines as close to the unit as possible.
5. This is definitely the time to do new wires and plugs
6. The toughest plug was #8 but all in all I felt the plugs weren't too bad!

Took here for a quick ride and she is definitely running better! :cheers:




[Modified by Rex Ruby, 1:43 AM 9/21/2002]

 

Nice ...I would submit it to Tech Tips

 

Excellent post. I did the same job on my 92 last month. Ran into the same issue. The initial venting kept interfering with the crank. Thought it was just a problem lining up and engaging the gear. Wasted a lot of time with little success, before finally lining up the Opti without the gear, which identified the clearance issue. I feel guilty about not posting this small, but very critical, issues myself. Again, great post.

 

Rex Ruby, I see by your pictures that you left the Throttle Body on. I would add that you can get alot more clearance by taking an additional 10 minutes and remove the Throttle body. With the TB out, you have alot more room to align and manuver the water pump around the AC unit. It also makes it alot easier during removal and installation of the Opti.

 

Nice job :cheers: Had to do a lot of opti replacements on everything from Vettes to Caprices, after the first few it gets easier.

 

You made it sound easy and I know it isn't.
Good Job. :cheers:

 

look'n good, John!!!!! :cheers: :cheers:

 

Thanks for the pictures :yesnod: I think I am gonna tackle this myself when the time comes. I just hate paying someone to do something that I can do and I can replace waterpump, plugs and plugwires at the same time.