Opti spark
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,165
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville,TN TN
St. Jude Donor '03
Opti spark
I'am going to replace my opti spark in a few weeks, If haveing the tools how much time should it take? I'am not a super mech but I know my way around engines. Thanks. :flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,410
Likes: 252
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Opti spark (greenvette95)
Moving the damper out of the way was the hardest part on mine. 1/2 day if your good and have some help. All day if you take your time. 2 days with several beer breaks! :jester :cheers:
I REALLY hate the GM opti though. I've had WAY to many problems with them. I finally broke down and went with the DynaSpark. So far so good.
I REALLY hate the GM opti though. I've had WAY to many problems with them. I finally broke down and went with the DynaSpark. So far so good.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Opti spark (R94 LT 1)
that balancer is a bitch... the best way to do it... jack the car up and get under... uh, first, remove the 3 bolts that hold the balancer to the hub... :D
then get under with a chunk of 2x4 and a hammer. using the 2x4, place it at about 4 o'clock and wack... move over to 8 o'clock and wack... move back to 4... back to 8... and it will fall off, eventually.
then get under with a chunk of 2x4 and a hammer. using the 2x4, place it at about 4 o'clock and wack... move over to 8 o'clock and wack... move back to 4... back to 8... and it will fall off, eventually.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Manchester NH
Re: Opti spark (bogus)
:iagree: The most difficult part of opti replacement is removal of the vibration damper.
I found it helped alot to remove the coil/ignition module assembly as it gets in the way of removal and re-installation of the water pump. Other than the damper and mess from the lower water pump bolt, its actually pretty easy.
Good luck
I found it helped alot to remove the coil/ignition module assembly as it gets in the way of removal and re-installation of the water pump. Other than the damper and mess from the lower water pump bolt, its actually pretty easy.
Good luck
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Opti spark (bogus)
that balancer is a bitch... the best way to do it... jack the car up and get under... uh, first, remove the 3 bolts that hold the balancer to the hub... :D
then get under with a chunk of 2x4 and a hammer. using the 2x4, place it at about 4 o'clock and wack... move over to 8 o'clock and wack... move back to 4... back to 8... and it will fall off, eventually.
then get under with a chunk of 2x4 and a hammer. using the 2x4, place it at about 4 o'clock and wack... move over to 8 o'clock and wack... move back to 4... back to 8... and it will fall off, eventually.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 626
Likes: 2
From: Nashville
Re: Opti spark (Corvette Kid NC)
I just got mine from Sam Taylor it shipped to the door from call in 2 days!!!!! WOW GREAT ask for Jason Cromer. I have already installed the underdrive crank pully it is a pain use LOTS of WD-40. I also had to remove the engine mounting bolts and jack up the engine about 3-4". I have a new coil and wires but after testing them with a meter the coil wire has 12 m ohms this ain't right so now I'll have to make a new one. I also got a new waterpump $140 and cheap ins.....
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Opti spark (greenvette95)
On disassembly, be sure to mark the plug wires very well.
On reassembly, be sure to fully seat the plug wires back on the opti. The boots go down to almost touch the body of the opti. I gave them a good dose of dilectric grease as well.
Before you replace the water pump start the car. You can run it for 10-15 seconds without any damage.
I would also recommend that you disassemble the new opti and put a nice even bead of hi-temp RTV around all the seal surfaces.
Take your time and get the water pump mating surfaces perfectly clean. This is probably the hardest part of the job.
Some will probably cringe at this suggestion, but to loosen the dampner, loosen the three bolts about 1/2 turn, soak them with penetrating oil and start the car. Shut down immediately. Voila, loose dampner.
On reassembly, be sure to fully seat the plug wires back on the opti. The boots go down to almost touch the body of the opti. I gave them a good dose of dilectric grease as well.
Before you replace the water pump start the car. You can run it for 10-15 seconds without any damage.
I would also recommend that you disassemble the new opti and put a nice even bead of hi-temp RTV around all the seal surfaces.
Take your time and get the water pump mating surfaces perfectly clean. This is probably the hardest part of the job.
Some will probably cringe at this suggestion, but to loosen the dampner, loosen the three bolts about 1/2 turn, soak them with penetrating oil and start the car. Shut down immediately. Voila, loose dampner.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Opti spark (John Row)
On reassembly, be sure to fully seat the plug wires back on the opti. The boots go down to almost touch the body of the opti.
Just did an F-body opti yesterday. I used a crowbar on the balancer just like I did on my car. Just be gentle and nudge it loose, working it side to side, don't let it get too crooked. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Lots of penetrating oil.
Water pump gaskets: what a pain. A wire wheel helps bigtime.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Opti spark (R94 LT 1)
I REALLY hate the GM opti though. I've had WAY to many problems with them. I finally broke down and went with the DynaSpark. So far so good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,410
Likes: 252
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Opti spark (JasonL)
I REALLY hate the GM opti though. I've had WAY to many problems with them. I finally broke down and went with the DynaSpark. So far so good.
You had that blue corrosion problem right? It went away with the Dynaspark?
You had that blue corrosion problem right? It went away with the Dynaspark?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: Opti spark (greenvette95)
Use a 3 jaw gear puller to take the dampener off. I spent 2 weeks on and off trying to get it off taping on it, spraying it with various things. Gear puller took exactally 2 minutes to get it off. Make sure you get a smaller one so it will fit between the brace and the balancer. I think I used a 3".
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Opti spark (John Row)
Some will probably cringe at this suggestion, but to loosen the dampner, loosen the three bolts about 1/2 turn, soak them with penetrating oil and start the car. Shut down immediately. Voila, loose dampner.
[Modified by Corvette Kid NC, 3:24 PM 4/11/2004]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Re: Opti spark (Corvette Kid NC)
Perhaps I should clarify, I used it to pull from the center, metal part. Pulling from the rubber isolated outside ring is obviously a terrible idea and anyone knowing what they are doing would know what I was implying.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 626
Likes: 2
From: Nashville
Re: Opti spark (Corvette Kid NC)
Got everything off and the plug wires aren't long enough. I order some Taylors should be here in a couple days. The waterpump gaskets were a PITA. And routing of the wires are also. So she should be back together later this week... :rant:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Opti spark (96BLKTN)
One more thing (probably a lot more...).
Use thread sealant on the water pump bolts. They go thorugh the block into the water jacket. It prevents weeping and makes them easier to remove next time.
I coat both sides of the water pump gaskets with a thin layer of hi-temp RTV and let them dry. Just in case you have to remove the pump again, it makes gasket removal much easier.
- JR
Use thread sealant on the water pump bolts. They go thorugh the block into the water jacket. It prevents weeping and makes them easier to remove next time.
I coat both sides of the water pump gaskets with a thin layer of hi-temp RTV and let them dry. Just in case you have to remove the pump again, it makes gasket removal much easier.
- JR
