When changing over to this style of ignition can you remove the opti completely or do you still need to leave it in?

Thank you

 

Trevor, the Delteq still uses the optical pickup in the optispark unit.

 

That is what I thought, but I was hoping it didn't. So if the opti craps out the problem isn't fixed or does this system come with a new optical pickup.

Thank you

 

80% of the time, the opti fails due to cap related problems - they don't throw codes.

When they do, you need a new opti.

 

I had Opti and water pump failure at 25,000 miles. Very similar symptoms to what you descibe. The picture of the water pump bearings that was just posted actually looks good compared to what mine looked like when it was pulled. I think I had about 2 bearings left.... . Also changed out plugs and wires while the car was apart.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

I thought you could replace the caps on these opti ie "replacement kits". Does anyone want to get rid of a opti that failed due to the cap?

 

Yep that looks exactly like my old (recently replaced) water pump
on my '92. Opti was replaced at the same time.

Didn't do it myself though. FYI Cost for the water pump and opti install
was $1,300

The "money pit" is runnin' great now.... was it worth it....oh yeah!

 

You can replace just the cap and rotor, but the labour is the same, so all you are saving is $150.00 or so in the price difference between the cap/rotor and an entirely new OptiSpark.

 

Hey guys thanks for all the help. #@%$#^ I could get the distributor, cap and rotor over night from my local dealer so I went back with the original factory setup (AC DELCO). I could not order the complete setup. So I ordered the distributor then a cap and rotor kit. When it arrived, the cover was not with it! I tried every one of the parts places in my area and none of them have a cover with the cap and rotor kit for a 93. All of the kits for the other years come with a cover! The difference is that the wiring connection is on the distributor for the 93 and the other years it was located on the cover. I cannot reuse my cover because the gasket is worn out on it. Where in the heck do you get the cover? Besides that I spent a day trying to find an E4 torx socket to get the cap off of the distributor. I finally had to go to my mechanic buddy who happened to have one. If you are suppose to change this every 60K they sure make it difficult! I thought about using the other system but I still need a new cover! or do I?

 

For the past few days I have read this thread and each time I ask myself why would anyone who owns a C-4 let ANY water or moisture
get under the hood and near the OPTI or the wires or the plugs. If you are looking for a spark gap, when it is dark, look in the engine compartment and look for a spark gap.

 

I just talked to a chevy dealer in town and they said that they use to sell the complete distributor for the same price as the cap kit since they had so many problems with them.

Thank you

 

I just ordered the complete assembly. I called AC-Delco and asked them why the 93 cap and rotor kits did not come with a cover. They said hum.... that they did not know why, but that I could get the whole distributor assembly from them and it should be included (Part # 10457702). He stated that it did not specifically say it was included, but that it was a complete assembly and should be part of it. I am going with the Delteq setup if this gives me any trouble!

 

For those interested! My complete distributor (cap, cover, rotor and distributor) arrived; I installed the distributor, new plug wires and a new water pump. Before I put the anti freeze in, I fired it up to make sure it would run. It ran like a champ so I quickly shut it down and headed to the local parts store to pick up a gallon of anti-freeze. I returned and filled it up with water and anti freeze. I jumped in to crank her up and take it for a test spin. Turned the key and the motor would turn over, but it would not crank, I turned the key off and it continued to diesel. CRAP …. that sounds like it is out of time! Then I thought oh no, I hope the distributor that I installed isn’t bad. But, before I made that determination and disassembled everything again, I was going to explore every other possibility. I had a spark checker so I installed it on the coil wire………No fire. I checked all my fuses and they were all good. I removed the spark tester and placed the coil wire on a ground and turned it over. It had fire but it was weak. Bad coil! I thought. I called the local parts store and they had one in stock, so I went and purchased it. After I retuned and installed the new coil, I crawled in and turned the ignition switch on. Varoom! It fired up on the first try. Woohoo…… I was ecstatic! To make a long story short, since Friday night I have put 1500 miles on it with out any problems! I want to thank everyone who took the time to reply to my post. Maybe some day I can help someone else who has the same problem. Oh before I forget….I removed the cap from the disturber and I could not believe my eyes. It was full of rust and corrosion. I do not know how it was still running! I will post pictures of it and the water pump as soon as I get new batteries for my camera. Another thing no more backfire!

 

I am glad you are on the road. When the opticrap you bought goes out, buy the new vented unit that is available for it. OR go Delteq. It uses teh crank sensor...but dosnt use the distributor portion. Have a great day, and be careful on the road. Oh..by the way..next water pump get the Mezzaire electric unit.

 

I am going to do exactly that! I did not realize that the whole distributor cost just as much as the Delteq! It will be Delteq the next time I change it. What advantage is the electric water pump? Doesn’t it use the housing of the gear driven one?

 

Yep, the electric pump bolts right into the housing. Here's the stock pump and here's the Miezere You can problably swap in a new pump in les than 10 minutes if it ever wears out.

 

An electric pump gives 8-12HP, plus better cooling at low speeds. Just be sure to use a 30+ amp relay to control the pump motor.

Mines been going good for 2 1/2 years now (after a couple of 20amp relay missfires!@#)

Cheers

 

When you install an electric waterpump in the stock housing is there a bearing or shaft of some sort at the rear of the pump that needs to be removed or plugged ? Could that area of the pump continue to be a place of a potential leak ? I think from reading other posts ( but not sure) that this is where most of the waterpump leaks originate which cause failure of the opti. Information on this is appreciated. BTW great pics of your engine, clearly demonstrates the position of the opti in relation to the pump and will help me in taking measures in protecting the opti the next time i clean my engine.

 

I did a tech tip on this. The link is on my first reply in this thread.

 

Sorry bout that Strick. It was your tech tip that i had read previously. It had slipped my mind. My sincerest apoligizes. BTW off topic, can you imagine what the pups would look like if our avatars got together ?