I wanted to thank all of you who guided me thru my optispark replacement. It has been many, many years (30?) since I really twisted wrenches to that degree. Between advice on where to order Delco parts, to the new opti on ebay($250, new in sealed box), and then the advice on getting the damper off, all good stuff. I have to tell, though that the damper removal was the worst part. And the trick I used? Hit it with penetrating oil front and back, wait four days. Tap off gently. Very easy.

I finally had the time to put it all back together last Saturday, cranked for a bit with no spark to get oil pumped up, connected coil to opti, cranked a half second, and lit right up, ran smooth (I changed ignition wires and plugs too). In fact, idles smoother than ever. 121K miles! The new water pump seems to make a difference in cooling, does run noticeably cooler, while cruising down the free(for the time being)way. Temp climbs quickly when at a traffic light. I may have fans that are not up to the proper speed. one is making a squeaking sound.

So, experts, one last question about it:

I have the older (spline drive) unit, but supposedly sealed much better than the original. I can see a rubber type gasket where cap meets plate. Is it safe to clean the engine with this unit? Or is water still the arch-enemy of this opti?

Thanks again!

George Csahanin
Awstin, TX
W2DB
92 LT-1 Red/Red
Big smile
Big wave

 

Nope. I have a '96 with a (supposedly) sealed unit. I had it three weeks and decided to really clean the engine (like the old days!). Found out too late that you NEVER get an Opti wet. Cost me nearly a thousand dollars before I was through with it (I had to deal with a dealer and I was so new to LT1 I did not know where to start. I've been on forum for a couple of years, but mostly in C3 and had NO IDEA how great the C4 section is.). If you're going to spray around the engine, cover the Opti with several layers of rags to absorb any water that might find its way down there. Glad your beast is running good now.