OptiSpark install-Where does the pin go?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Southern Oregon
OptiSpark install-Where does the pin go?
I have a new Petris Opti I'm ready to install and I'm not 100% sure about where the pin is supposed to be. Before putting the balancer hub back on I found TDC with a method I found in a YouTube video where you turn the motor until you feel pressure at the #1 plug hole and then use a piece of wire to feel the piston come up to the top. I was also able to find a mark inside the hub that corresponded with key slot on the crank nose, even though there is no key slot in the hub. Both methods seem to agree as the cast arrow is supposed to end up at 12 o'clock as shown in the picture. I have the FSM on disc and looked up the distributor installation and it says that the pin is supposed to be at 9 o'clock. Well is that 9 o'clock from the drivers position or facing the front of the engine? Because facing the front, as in the picture, it looks like 3 o'clock to me. Unfortunately the illustrations in the FSM are about as clear as mud. And actually it occurs to me that if I didn't mess with the timing chain, does it even matter? As long as the cam and the crank are in sync it shouldn't even matter, right?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,193
Likes: 1,317
From: LeClaire Iowa
It does not matter where the engine is turned to. Put the pin where Brian showed and it will be correct. DO NOT FORCE. It took me a while the first time. If correct it will slide on with very little effort. If you think you have it correct and it just needs force to seat then it is NOT really correct. Dan
