I watched you vid because I have a front oil leak on my 93 coupe. I suspect the opti seal. I had a real ordeal with mine years back. 4 different opti's before I gave up and carried it to the dealer, where it was finally fixed right. The fuel pressure regulator replacement seem to make the difference. I would get her running. Usually about 100 miles, then failure. But it has been fine for many years now. 116,000 on the clock. Your vid is a good review for me, as it has been a few years and the memory is not as sharp. I admire your ability to get into small places. I will remove the radiator to gain more access, when I do mine. I took the alternator out too. But may not this time. My 93 has no spline key. It is passable to put it back together, one notch off. I know. I did it. The new spline that came with the replacement opti didn't have a key either. You know GM replaced the opti with a different version in 94. Vented with a different spline that is keyed. I think it is a defect! I like your use of the white marker stuff. What is that? Once things are removed, I hope to get a better idea where the leak is coming from. I suspect the opti seal BC it was changed out before. I hope it is not the dreaded front main seal. Just wet with oil, not yet dripping to leave a puddle yet. Thanks for the visual!
Probably opti seal. When they go out they leak all over the place. It looks like a crime scene. I've replaced it twice. Gets easier every time. I'm pretty much a pro at this point. Taking the radiator out seems like a lot of work. I wouldn't do it unless I had to. I had the wife buy me a set of paint markers if varying colors. They work great. I think she got them from Amazon. Just search "paint marker" and you should be good.
Take care buddy .. 3:30 pm cst Saturday . Running a business is not easy ,and having 2 acres . Plus loads of friends ,relatives ,neighbors etc . On a positive note I am set 4 winter . Worked 7 days a week 4 months to prepare house ,and 4 vehicles . I have done electric 4 forty years , still doing it . Generators ready ,fuel , food ,ammo , security lights , cameras ,etc etc . 6 years in military , I am ready 4 anything .. Take care and good luck . Take care
Just so you know, the damper (pulley) has a number of holes on the outside of the damper and some are filled in with pins. This is for external balancing of the engine. There are also the same kind of holes around the flywheel with pins in some of them.
Thanks for the video. I think that it would be much more helpful to show how you do it (e.g. with a cheap head cam) then the description. It is obvious you are skilled. Anyway thanks again.
I just changed my optispark on my 1994 c4 LT1. I did a test run before before I installed the water pump per another utube video and it started I only ran it for about 6 seconds.After I installed the water pump it would not start . I had to remove the coil to install the water pump. The only ground wire was off the coil .Is there any other grounds?Any suggestions before I pull the opti again?
@@ETHEL85 Might be an unrelated issue. Could just be a coincidence it's not starting and unrelated to the optispark. I've never tried starting mine without the water pump installed.
I used the Petris Enterprises vented opti. Works great, doesn't leave a DTC in the module and the vent means I can blast the engine with water to clean it and not mess it up.
I'm having my 92 Corvette done now. I sure hope it solves my issue you must be local Lindbergh cruise I'm familiar with....do you have a shop or just a hobby
It's not too bad. It gets easier every time I do it. If I were younger, thinner and more tolerant of heat and/or cold like in my younger years, it would be a cake walk.
I said that so you don't forget to put it back on. If you're not replacing the seal, leave it on. Be a shame to put it all back together and say "what's third extra splined shaft for? Oh no!!!!" I'm fairly certain I mention this exact scenario in the video though I'm not going to watch it to confirm so perhaps I didn't emphasize it enough. I hope that answers your question.
@@moodberry no problem. Would be bad news bears if you forget to put that back on and throw it away with the old WP then put the new one on, start driving, thinking you have a functioning pump and you burn up your LT1.
On the driver side of the car you take the small hose from the opti and attach it to the intake boot. Then there's another fitting on the driver side intake manifold for vacuum (assuming you have the Petris Enterprises) the kit has everything you need. I reckon I glossed over how to affix all the vented opti plumbing, but that's because I already had it installed with the previous opti. This time it was pretty much plug & play for me.
@@HollywoodHornet for the driver side intake manifold vacuum how was the line ran up? i was thinking about running it just pass the water pump but i thought that could possibly get in the way of my throttle any suggestions
@@HollywoodHornet I was thinking a waterproof spray of some sort. I don’t have the money for the vented opti. Trying to come up with a solution to make this new opti last long.
@@joshdaboss8094 I wouldn't plug up the three holes on the bottom. The sparking action inside the opti creates ozone which is heavy and needs to fall to the bottom and then out of the opti. If you can't run a vented opti, just leave the normal one alone and avoid splashing water into it.
If you were to remove the front end, radiator and power steering rack you could use a puller. I think my way is easier. It gets easier every time you remove it.
Hi does anyone know if it’s possible to get rid of OptiSpark and replace it with Coil packs. I bought a El Camino the engin is 94 Corvette LT engine the Optispark is gone bad . Please let me know if you can i appreciate it
It is possible but it's easier and cheaper to change the opti. Engine timing and spark is done via the opti. If you were to use coil packs you'd have to drill into the engine to install a special cam and crank sensor with reluctor wheels for it to read and send the signal to the PCM and that's just the start. Just change the optispark. It's not that hard of a job. The more you do it the faster and easier it gets.
Never heard of an opti .. How long do they last ?? My Cadillac and truck are 1987 ,my work vans are 1994 and 2001 . I can actually work on these GMS. I wanted to go to Lind car show, but I was forced to run generators and treat them with fuel stabilizer . I had to shut off water etc etc before the freeze . I am doing parking lot lights in Arnold today . I keep 50 gallons of treated fuel here 4 generators. Other than leaves ,the grass cutting and trimming 2 acres is pretty much over . I am a long time prepper and third generation military . I am always prepping for the next storm or bank failure . 2008 really got me busy . Banks failing ,businesses etc . All they have done for 15 years is print money . I remember when we were 6 trillion in debt , now we are at 30 and growing . This is not sustainable .Germany and other countries are facing a winter with little heat or food . I have 3 gun safes full ,and loads of food . Keep me posted on next car events. Stay in touch and avoid Tishaura and company
The cruise was bitchin. The show at the high school was cool too. Optisparks are kind of a mixed bag they usually last until the water pump fails and weeps hot coolant all over them. Moisture is the enemy of the optical sensor. You can actually open an opti and replace the rotor cap like on a traditional distributor, assuming the optical sensor is intact. They're a neat design. Very accurate timing mechanism. LT1's are the fastest starting engines for that reason. Mine usually starts in less than two seconds with what sounds like two rotations of either the starter gear of the flywheel (not sure which rotation I'm hearing). You'd have to hear it sometime to see for yourself. There's as the rotor spins to spark each cylinder in the correct firing order, there's an optical sensor (laser) that can see each degree of crankshaft position. Those are at the outer most area of the disk. Towards the center there are four additional cut outs of various size for the low resolution that the computer can use to determine where the camshaft is and thus when to give fuel to which cylinder ahead of the spark from the rotor. It is as much a pre-cam and crank sensor used for spark and fuel timing as it is a distributor for spark distribution. Very awesome when it works, but moisture kills them. If you have a GM opti with the Mitsubishi sensor, they'll go until the water pump leaks on them. If they're after market, they're as good as whatever sensor is in there. My water pumps always outlast the opti except for the original Delco opti. I go a little crazy with the pressure washer, and the undercarriage washes so I think that's why mine die so often. Plus when I daily drove it in the city there was salt corrosion in winter and before I graveled the yard, moisture from the grass would evaporate upwards into the bottom of the opti. There are three holes on the bottom of the opti for the ozone generated by the spark to leak out but that's also where moisture can come in. I have upgraded to a vented opti so my holes are sealed with hose that runs to the intake manifold to draw the moisture and ozone out and into the manifold. Hey, I'm in Arnold...until I leave for a double today. I won't make it to next week's cars and coffee because I have the quadruple feature at the Bellville Drive-in that night and I need to rest up but I will be at the November show and by then I should have the Beetle road ready. Gotta drop the engine and replace some stufd then put it back in.
@@HollywoodHornet I am beat .. Parking lot lights are a bitch . 40 feet in the air ,and trying to beat the weather . Every day trying to beat mother nature . Take care buddy . I dont get to have much fun ,but I have 2 sons and 4 grandkids . 2 acres 4 vehicles , insane amount of trees etc . But I own everything . Prep 4 winter . Hoping to meet ya some day . Just keep trying . Best of luck ,I cant do anymore 420 pm cst 21 oct 2022
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I watched you vid because I have a front oil leak on my 93 coupe. I suspect the opti seal. I had a real ordeal with mine years back. 4 different opti's before I gave up and carried it to the dealer, where it was finally fixed right. The fuel pressure regulator replacement seem to make the difference. I would get her running. Usually about 100 miles, then failure. But it has been fine for many years now. 116,000 on the clock.
Your vid is a good review for me, as it has been a few years and the memory is not as sharp. I admire your ability to get into small places. I will remove the radiator to gain more access, when I do mine. I took the alternator out too. But may not this time.
My 93 has no spline key. It is passable to put it back together, one notch off. I know. I did it. The new spline that came with the replacement opti didn't have a key either. You know GM replaced the opti with a different version in 94. Vented with a different spline that is keyed. I think it is a defect!
I like your use of the white marker stuff. What is that?
Once things are removed, I hope to get a better idea where the leak is coming from. I suspect the opti seal BC it was changed out before. I hope it is not the dreaded front main seal. Just wet with oil, not yet dripping to leave a puddle yet. Thanks for the visual!
Probably opti seal. When they go out they leak all over the place. It looks like a crime scene. I've replaced it twice. Gets easier every time. I'm pretty much a pro at this point. Taking the radiator out seems like a lot of work. I wouldn't do it unless I had to.
I had the wife buy me a set of paint markers if varying colors. They work great. I think she got them from Amazon. Just search "paint marker" and you should be good.
Trying to find a updated opti that won't die as quickly! Thank u for your vid!
Take care buddy .. 3:30 pm cst Saturday . Running a business is not easy ,and having 2 acres . Plus loads of friends ,relatives ,neighbors etc . On a positive note I am set 4 winter . Worked 7 days a week 4 months to prepare house ,and 4 vehicles . I have done electric 4 forty years , still doing it . Generators ready ,fuel , food ,ammo , security lights , cameras ,etc etc . 6 years in military , I am ready 4 anything .. Take care and good luck . Take care
Just so you know, the damper (pulley) has a number of holes on the outside of the damper and some are filled in with pins. This is for external balancing of the engine. There are also the same kind of holes around the flywheel with pins in some of them.
Thanks for the video. I think that it would be much more helpful to show how you do it (e.g. with a cheap head cam) then the description. It is obvious you are skilled. Anyway thanks again.
I just changed my optispark on my 1994 c4 LT1.
I did a test run before before I installed the water pump per another utube video and it started I only ran it for about 6 seconds.After I installed the water pump it would not start . I had to remove the coil to install the water pump. The only ground wire was off the coil .Is there any other grounds?Any suggestions before I pull the opti again?
@@ETHEL85 Might be an unrelated issue. Could just be a coincidence it's not starting and unrelated to the optispark. I've never tried starting mine without the water pump installed.
Thank you for sharing this video. Which brand do you recommend or which one did you use?
I used the Petris Enterprises vented opti. Works great, doesn't leave a DTC in the module and the vent means I can blast the engine with water to clean it and not mess it up.
@@HollywoodHornet thank you very much for your reply
I'm having my 92 Corvette done now. I sure hope it solves my issue you must be local Lindbergh cruise I'm familiar with....do you have a shop or just a hobby
I just do automotive work for funsies. My garage is my shop.
How is the Petris optispark holding up ?
Still ticking. I'd say it's superior to the OEM with that vented upgrade.
Still going strong ? I threw the err16 low res code yesterday :(
Anyone know torque specs for the 3 distributor bolts
That’s a pretty big job.
It's not too bad. It gets easier every time I do it. If I were younger, thinner and more tolerant of heat and/or cold like in my younger years, it would be a cake walk.
Not sure why you said not to remove the spline connector to the water pump. Can't you take it off while you are working on it?
I said that so you don't forget to put it back on. If you're not replacing the seal, leave it on. Be a shame to put it all back together and say "what's third extra splined shaft for? Oh no!!!!" I'm fairly certain I mention this exact scenario in the video though I'm not going to watch it to confirm so perhaps I didn't emphasize it enough. I hope that answers your question.
@@HollywoodHornet Thanks
@@moodberry no problem. Would be bad news bears if you forget to put that back on and throw it away with the old WP then put the new one on, start driving, thinking you have a functioning pump and you burn up your LT1.
Hey what ventilation pipe on opti were you talking about im about to do same repair.
On the driver side of the car you take the small hose from the opti and attach it to the intake boot. Then there's another fitting on the driver side intake manifold for vacuum (assuming you have the Petris Enterprises) the kit has everything you need.
I reckon I glossed over how to affix all the vented opti plumbing, but that's because I already had it installed with the previous opti. This time it was pretty much plug & play for me.
@@HollywoodHornet for the driver side intake manifold vacuum how was the line ran up? i was thinking about running it just pass the water pump but i thought that could possibly get in the way of my throttle any suggestions
do you think water proofing my new opti will help it last longer?
How would you water proof it?
@@HollywoodHornet I was thinking a waterproof spray of some sort. I don’t have the money for the vented opti. Trying to come up with a solution to make this new opti last long.
@@joshdaboss8094 I wouldn't plug up the three holes on the bottom. The sparking action inside the opti creates ozone which is heavy and needs to fall to the bottom and then out of the opti. If you can't run a vented opti, just leave the normal one alone and avoid splashing water into it.
Is their another way to remove the pulley?
If you were to remove the front end, radiator and power steering rack you could use a puller. I think my way is easier. It gets easier every time you remove it.
Great content. Thanks for the video.
What were your symptoms of a failing Optispark?
Code stored into the OBD-1 system.
Hi does anyone know if it’s possible to get rid of OptiSpark and replace it with Coil packs. I bought a El Camino the engin is 94 Corvette LT engine the Optispark is gone bad . Please let me know if you can i appreciate it
It is possible but it's easier and cheaper to change the opti. Engine timing and spark is done via the opti. If you were to use coil packs you'd have to drill into the engine to install a special cam and crank sensor with reluctor wheels for it to read and send the signal to the PCM and that's just the start. Just change the optispark. It's not that hard of a job. The more you do it the faster and easier it gets.
Never heard of an opti .. How long do they last ?? My Cadillac and truck are 1987 ,my work vans are 1994 and 2001 . I can actually work on these GMS. I wanted to go to Lind car show, but I was forced to run generators and treat them with fuel stabilizer . I had to shut off water etc etc before the freeze . I am doing parking lot lights in Arnold today . I keep 50 gallons of treated fuel here 4 generators. Other than leaves ,the grass cutting and trimming 2 acres is pretty much over . I am a long time prepper and third generation military . I am always prepping for the next storm or bank failure . 2008 really got me busy . Banks failing ,businesses etc . All they have done for 15 years is print money . I remember when we were 6 trillion in debt , now we are at 30 and growing . This is not sustainable .Germany and other countries are facing a winter with little heat or food . I have 3 gun safes full ,and loads of food . Keep me posted on next car events. Stay in touch and avoid Tishaura and company
The cruise was bitchin. The show at the high school was cool too. Optisparks are kind of a mixed bag they usually last until the water pump fails and weeps hot coolant all over them. Moisture is the enemy of the optical sensor. You can actually open an opti and replace the rotor cap like on a traditional distributor, assuming the optical sensor is intact.
They're a neat design. Very accurate timing mechanism. LT1's are the fastest starting engines for that reason. Mine usually starts in less than two seconds with what sounds like two rotations of either the starter gear of the flywheel (not sure which rotation I'm hearing). You'd have to hear it sometime to see for yourself. There's as the rotor spins to spark each cylinder in the correct firing order, there's an optical sensor (laser) that can see each degree of crankshaft position. Those are at the outer most area of the disk. Towards the center there are four additional cut outs of various size for the low resolution that the computer can use to determine where the camshaft is and thus when to give fuel to which cylinder ahead of the spark from the rotor.
It is as much a pre-cam and crank sensor used for spark and fuel timing as it is a distributor for spark distribution. Very awesome when it works, but moisture kills them. If you have a GM opti with the Mitsubishi sensor, they'll go until the water pump leaks on them. If they're after market, they're as good as whatever sensor is in there. My water pumps always outlast the opti except for the original Delco opti. I go a little crazy with the pressure washer, and the undercarriage washes so I think that's why mine die so often. Plus when I daily drove it in the city there was salt corrosion in winter and before I graveled the yard, moisture from the grass would evaporate upwards into the bottom of the opti.
There are three holes on the bottom of the opti for the ozone generated by the spark to leak out but that's also where moisture can come in. I have upgraded to a vented opti so my holes are sealed with hose that runs to the intake manifold to draw the moisture and ozone out and into the manifold.
Hey, I'm in Arnold...until I leave for a double today. I won't make it to next week's cars and coffee because I have the quadruple feature at the Bellville Drive-in that night and I need to rest up but I will be at the November show and by then I should have the Beetle road ready. Gotta drop the engine and replace some stufd then put it back in.
@@HollywoodHornet I am beat .. Parking lot lights are a bitch . 40 feet in the air ,and trying to beat the weather . Every day trying to beat mother nature . Take care buddy . I dont get to have much fun ,but I have 2 sons and 4 grandkids . 2 acres 4 vehicles , insane amount of trees etc . But I own everything . Prep 4 winter . Hoping to meet ya some day . Just keep trying . Best of luck ,I cant do anymore 420 pm cst 21 oct 2022
If valve covers have 4 bolts in center usually has 6 water pump bolts, I think lmao lmk gm guys?