Question Replaced optispark now wont start

[XtremeOracing]

Originally Posted by 90rs

the opti didnt just slide on but i didnt use fstners to put it on either, im not getting any spark at #1 cylinder and i have plenty of power. The car turns over fine it just doesnt fire. So I'm going to call up summit racing and tell them i need a new part, i believe its defective.

Yup i would do the same, but remember if it doesn't sit completly flush when you install it then you put it wrong! it shouldn't need to be forced in at all, it will sit flush with little to no effort when lined up properly.

[90rs]

Pulled the 'new' opti today and sending it back to summit. Is this thing supposed to make a clicking/ gringing noise when it rotates? the one i pulled out didnt, maybe my problem. there no play in it either just the noise. Hopefully the new part comes in soon Summit is really good about shipping and recieving.

Grinding clicking noise in my new optispark distributor. - YouTube

Grinding clicking noise in my new optispark distributor. - YouTube

the video shows what I am talking about, sounds like its hitting lose metal tabs or something. Thoughts?

[wdmickjr]

yeah bad opti.. it should not make a noise. also when your new opti arrives, put a little thread sealant on the rotor's screws.

just off the wall question.. is this clunking sound in the same position on every rotation?

[90rs]

on the rotors screws? And yes it makes it in the same place every rotation.

[wdmickjr]

yes. remove the rotor's screws and place a small dab of loctite on the screws threads. and replace.
this will insure your rotor doesn't come off and this may be the sound you have.. maybe.


get a thread sealant that you will be able to remove later, in case you might want to replace cap and rotor later.

[90rs]

just to make sure I follow ytour talking about opening it up from the front and you want me to put loctite on the rotors screw. Dually noted. Just shipped theyll get it thurs so I'm hoping for early next week to recieve it.

[wdmickjr]

yeah. the cap and rotor parts are on the front. remove the cap and there is your rotor with 2 screws. it takes a special torx socket to open it up.

it is called an E4 socket.

OR you could do this:
http://www.lt1engines.com/tech/085-opti-cap-rotor-tool/

take well note of the O- ring gasket when re-installing cap.

[90rs]

will do for sure thanks!! I'll let yall know when i get the part back in

[USMC]

Originally Posted by 90rs

the opti didnt just slide on but i didnt use fstners to put it on either, im not getting any spark at #1 cylinder and i have plenty of power. The car turns over fine it just doesnt fire. So I'm going to call up summit racing and tell them i need a new part, i believe its defective.

Or you could buy the MSD unit. They rebuild them for $120 when needed.

[90rs]

already payed for the summit racing unit and there replacing it no questions asked, thanks for the thought though!

[jab251]

Originally Posted by DUDBIRD113

Cant get it to crank at all? Or when the motor turns it wont start. I installed my spline driving opti backwards before. Sounded like the timing was way off and would pop when it tried to start.

I have a 1997 camaro z28 and it wont start either. The motor will spin over and it pops a few times then just spins. Distrubter seems to be fine and fuel pressure and pump are good. Not sure what the deal is? Any suggestions? Could the timing chain have jumped time?

[XtremeOracing]

Originally Posted by jab251

I have a 1997 camaro z28 and it wont start either. The motor will spin over and it pops a few times then just spins. Distrubter seems to be fine and fuel pressure and pump are good. Not sure what the deal is? Any suggestions? Could the timing chain have jumped time?

Timing chain jumped time? That is highly unlikely. Have you done the Opti and Spark test from shoe's site?

4th Gen LT1 F-body Tech Articles

Do that and let us know how it goes!

[Workman]

Yea man it does seem like it is the opti spark! Im thanking God I dont have to change mine! My 95 T/A has 110,800 miles on it and runs like a champ. Im hoping to not have ANY problems any time soon out of it. Let us know what happens with it man.

[Racy Roadmaster]

Workman, Just to let you know any opti with over 100,000 miles on it
probably should be replaced. It should have at least a new cap and rotor
installed. I would be starting to look at a replacement opti or a Bailey system,an MSD or the 24 x system,thats probably the best one going. good luck and start getting prepared to school yourself on changing out your orig. opti. ed

[DUDBIRD113]

I know when i put my opti in backwards (180 degrees out of time) that it would pop when cranking. Is it like a loud popping noise every 1/2 second or two?