Observation about coil/plug wire terminals on LT1 OptiSpark unit
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Observation about coil/plug wire terminals on LT1 OptiSpark unit
I have noticed this to be apparent for the plug wire connections and the coilwire connection on the opti: If the wire terminals are pushed all the way as far as they will go they may not actually be in optimal contact with the opti's terminal studs. Here's what I noticed on my '95: When each is confirmed pushed all the way as far as it can go, gently pulling on each of these connections at the boot (requires a circus contortionist to put hands on the driver side plug wire connections to opti...) yields very small movement outward, probably around 1/32" or less and, here's the important point, a firm metallic "click" and stop. What it feels like is the terminals are mating-in to the terminal stud more effectively when this brief outward click-stop happens. This has to be due to the shape of the terminal studs in the opti and the terminals of coil wire (straight terminal end) and opti end of the plug wires.
Or I could be wrong.
As you can tell, I have a little too much time on my hands... both around the house and on this lunch break at my desk :D
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 1:43 PM 7/2/2003]
Or I could be wrong.
As you can tell, I have a little too much time on my hands... both around the house and on this lunch break at my desk :D
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 1:43 PM 7/2/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Observation about coil/plug wire terminals on LT1 OptiSpark unit (Lone Ranger)
I have no idea what you're talking about, :crazy: but you push until you feel two clicks on the opti. One click on the spark plug ends. Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: Observation about coil/plug wire terminals on LT1 OptiSpark unit (JasonL)
It all actually makes sense, in a roundabout way. Mine were pressed past the 2nd click and what ik did then was simply apply gentle pull to snap them back into the 2nd click :yesnod: Explains why it idles a little smoother now.
P.S. Dealer was last to touch opti when installed it last year :crazy:
P.S. Dealer was last to touch opti when installed it last year :crazy:
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Independence KY
Re: Observation about coil/plug wire terminals on LT1 OptiSpark unit (Lone Ranger)
You mentioned that it runs a little smoother now...in you opinion, if pushed on "firmly", do you think it would cause enough of a misconnect that I may develop a miss/carried cylinder?? I changed plugs/wires and am currently chasing this problem--first I've heard of pushing on too far, but I'm up for nearly anything--may be heading to dealer-land in a day or 2...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: Observation about coil/plug wire terminals on LT1 OptiSpark unit (Jacobsdad)
Since you're about to throw in the towel and take it to the shop anyhow, what do you have to lose by trying this?
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Independence KY
Re: Observation about coil/plug wire terminals on LT1 OptiSpark unit (Lone Ranger)
Strike 3...tried and sent to have a cylinder shutdown test....will find this one way or another...Thx for the last glimmer of hope though...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 14,075
Likes: 18
Re: Observation about coil/plug wire terminals on LT1 OptiSpark unit (Lone Ranger)
The previous owner put an MSD coil on mine; he didn't get the coil wire seated well at the distributer. The result was the arcing eventually blew the end off coil wire entrance at the distributer (unfortunately, while I was pulling out into traffic).
I ended up trimming about an eight inch off the boots to get them to seat well (which was easy since I had to replace the cap anyway). I considered zip-tying each boot since getting to them is so not-easy, but they were plenty secure once the boots were trimmed.
I ended up trimming about an eight inch off the boots to get them to seat well (which was easy since I had to replace the cap anyway). I considered zip-tying each boot since getting to them is so not-easy, but they were plenty secure once the boots were trimmed.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: Observation about coil/plug wire terminals on LT1 OptiSpark unit (Craig Brumley)
JasonL's reply above is correct about you are looking for two firm metallic clicks when pushing a plug wire boot onto the opti. I'm just saying that on mine anyhow, they have a tendency to go slightly past the two clicks which apparently made the connection less than optimal. That is why I talked about pulling them gently-- to get them back into the 2nd click so to speak. Then again I may have a freak set of wires, but they are new standard OEM type (well, actually a year old). I want to get Taylor wires eventually.
