Detailed Optispark Replace on LT1: MSD distributor with tips to increase life
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- Опубликовано: 5 янв 2024
- Shown on my 1993 Z28 camaro. This will be similar for all LT1 engines including the impala SS and the corvettes of the time. There are a lot of potential issues for the LT1 optispark, I show how you can increase the lifetime of yours using MSD new cap and rotor kit.
#camaro #fbody #optispark #distributor #gen4 #firebird #impala #Corvette #repair #replace #howto #picklesgarage #z28
this is the video you mentioned in a reply to me on the water pump video, very cool. Easy to follow instructions, and very happy you include the socket sizes. I just grab the ones you mention and away we go. I don't plan on putting the MSD in, but maybe so, depends on what we see under the hood tonight.
@@mundanestuff Sounds good, thanks for checking it out and good luck to ya
I have a 1995 C4 Corvette. I replaced my opti-spark 4-5 times. Finally I got smart and purchased a torqhead LS type ignition replacement system for the optispark. It costs more up front, but you never have to worry about ever dealing with the uncertainty of getting left on the side of the road because of the unreliable opti spark. The absolute best part is it comes with a PCM that can be FULLY TUNED. So you can put in a bigger cam, get high flow heads, forced induction or any other mod you can think of. Don't waste your time and money with another optispark. I was seriously thinking of getting rid of my Vette until I found out about torqhead. If you go to Ellwein Engines RUclips channel you'll see an engine builder Carl Ellwein that uses the Torqhead system on his 1995 SS Impala track car.
Good job I am the original owner of a 95Z. I never had this done.
We should make like a thin plastic cover that goes over the opti unit and has a opening for the plugs and vacuum lines that prevents splashing from underneath and water from washhing the enging getting directly on the opti itself
I have a 93 lt1 corvette and it's the same thing. If you wanna do one, you might as well do it all if you're unsure.
Take the whole unit off, it’s easier. You forgot the seals for pump and cam. If oil leak it will fail. Also make sure you line distributor up correctly or it won’t start. Start it up before putting water pump on just to be sure. Good video
The main reason they vented the opti was to remove ozone build up from the spark occurring across the rotor to cap. a sealed cap and functional vent are key to a long life for the optispark. I’m about to install the torqhead 24x kit in the next couple of months when I do my heads, cam, lifters, and roller rockers and do away with it.
My 95 car has only had two opti's it's entire life. First was the original gm, and the other is my 7 year old MSD.
Great to hear they work well! Thanks for watching
After dealing with 3 bad optisparks. Im going with the Torqhead 24 x kit .when funds permit.
I had a torqhead ot had problems as well I replaced crank shaft sensors left and right got rid of it
Pulling the whole fan assembly at once is probably faster than taking the individual fans off. It’s basically just slid into a slot straight down. I snatch them out as soon as I take the elbow off.
93-94 is non vented 95-97 is vented. If replacing the whole thing the drive is different for 93-94 vs 95-97. If you order the wrong one it no worky.
That gear on the back is oiled by the oil system in the block, no need to grease. Forget the wrap hole drain hose idea, just tap and put plug in.
MSD charges $250 to rebuild its LT1 distributor and it includes shipping.
95 vette here.opti went last year and bought a 200 dollar piece from auto zone lasted 2 months.then bought jegs 200 dollar junk.came in with sloppy drive shaft and just sent it back.bought 450$ PETRIS OPTI AND BEEN GREAT EVER SINCE.also put something on the water pump p hole to direct coolant around the opti if it goes bad and they like to if your yamming on it hard they dont like the higher rpms.also if you have an original factory opti keep the Mitsubishi optical sensor.switch it to the new unit you bought especially if its a cheaper unit than petris.
Did the Petris opti come with Mitsubishi sensor ?
@@adrianbinger8397 don't think it was and it says on their site Mitsubishi GRADE optical sensor so no but it's still running strong.
My 1995 ss impala opti was bad replaced the whole unit from ac delco. Cap rotor and the electronics. Also all three front seals on timing cover.the old seals will leak oil onto opti and ruin it.
Where did you get a ac delco opti? I’ve been looking everywhere, can’t find it.
No longer available.A company in Texas called peritronics
Did anybody notice the briggs & stratton symbol on the harmonic balancer lol. Interesting
What all did you have to do to tie in the second hose to vent the Opti? The 2nd hose on the driver's side. Any pics would be greatly appreciated!
I don't think it will let me send photos but there is a plastic vacuum line under where the brake booster hose connects to the driver side of the block. These are very brittle but you can find them online if they break. I had to cut it so it was a straight line and so the supplied hose forms a T. Like this:[engine]-|
Here's the name of them so you know what to look for: Pressure Sensor Vacuum Hose 96451064
Thank you very much, I appreciate it!
If you don't ever want to have problems again swap in a 0411 pcm and tune it with hptuners.
Man, the bottom vacuum line has disconnected on my Opti for my 1994 corvette. I think I need to take everything out to reach it...
Buy a pair of long needle nose pliers with 30 degree bent ends. This will allow long reach and you can squeeze the spring clamp to secure the vacuum hose. It takes patience.
I’m going through coil and ignition control modules. A set about 6-8 months they fail. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Acdelco!! And the optispark should be petris.
@@C4VETTELT1 yes. Opti is Petris
I was talking to the mechanic. He said don’t get MSD he had 2 bad one finally the 3rd one was ok .
He said just get OEM opti spark . Did u have any issues with MSD ?
Also water pump replacement was sujrsted
@alirezashirazifard8990 I haven't had any issues with my MSD but keep in mind this is just the cap so if there is an issue with the rotor then it won't matter how many caps you throw at it. There is the much more expensive cap and rotor from MSD that is pretty highly reviewed. To be honest it's a flawed design in general so if you aren't careful it's pretty easy to damage even a good part. Issue with the OEM optis is a lot of them still have the flaws that make these so easy to break, ie lack of vent tube and holes at the bottom that water can splash up into. Plus some of these OEM are made really cheaply. But yes I HIGHLY recommend replacing the water pump while doing this. Most of these optis are going out because liquid has got inside the cap which is mostly happening because of a bad water pump like the seals to the block are bad or the weep hole so the last thing you want to do is put a new opti whether is OEM or MSD and it fail for the same reason the last one did. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.
Will this optispark work on a 1993 c4 corvette?
Technically it was advertised for the Corvette actually. Small differences between the LT1 in the Corvette verse camaro mostly belt set up and some internals. You should be fine running this on your Corvette but note the MSD I got is just the cap. You'll see ones for $700+ that will be the whole opti if you're looking for a full replace.
what is that long plastic tube connected to the intake and what does it do?
@dashawnjacksonblitz So the main issue with the stock opti sparks is moisture will get in and it will foul the connections. The plastic tube connected to the metal intake manifold itself creates a vacuum. So that along with the other tube you will see connected to the plastic intake itself allows for fresh clean air in and it pulls moisture out. This should make your opti last longer and avoid the main design flaws of the origional.
@@picklesgarage ohhhhh ok, yeah that makes sense. Thanks and thanks for the video!
@@dashawnjacksonblitz Sure thing, thanks for watching!
Did you remove the radiator?
No, if you take out the passenger side electric fan you should have the room you need to take out the water pump. You have to rotate it a bit but it will come out without removing the whole radiator. Hope this helps, thanks for watching.
Yes thank you very much
How you put the pulley back on
The harder part is getting it off the metal sort of fuses a bit. Getting it back on you just have to make sure it's lined up and then slowly alternate while tightening the bolts and it will come back on snugly. You might use a little grease if there's a lot of build up but I wouldn't unless you absolutely need to otherwise it should come on fine without.
@@picklesgarage sweet dude thank you!!!
@@soulsoothing6133 Sure thing, thanks for watching!
Dude.... when you get in there like that you HAVE to do everything! Including coolant hoses and belt!! Let this guys experience be a lesson for everyone!! If you don't plan on changing EVERYTHING then you shouldn't be in there!!! Especially in the Fbody platform!!
With 125k on mine, I also did the timing chain, yes a good idea to do alot of other stuff too
@SteveO95 I assume you mean the gasket for the cover and not the actual chain right? If you mean you put a new chain on then you completely wasted your time effort and money! The LT1 actually all SBC engines have a very strong timing chain I've never heard of anyone having timing chain problems on a LT1 or anything that isn't overhead cams! If you have overhead cams or a timing BELT (not chain) then definitely but absolutely no need to change the timing chain on the LT1 or any OHV engines.
@SteveO95 a timing chain should last the whole life of the engine without needing to be changed as long as regular maintenance has been done. But if regular maintenance hasn't been done regular throughout its life other issues will arise! If you're rebuilding the engine of course throw a new one in.
@@C4VETTELT1 I replaced the cover, and looked at the chain and said why not.
I am definitely not looking forward to doing this on my 94
delete it completely! Buy the 24x kit
Just replace the unit. Taking it apart like this makes no sense. Also since you are so deep here...replace the timing chain as well.