andysc

iTrader: (6)

Hi there

Replacing my opti, and ran across this problem. Everything was going well till I removed the opti itself. I had to give a tug to dislodge the opti from the front timing cover. I put equal pressure on both sides of the opti. It came off, but then I heard a metal sound hitting the groundI looked down, and it was the gear that goes into the back of the opti, and into the cam splined input slot. So now I do not know how to put the new opti in. Can someone suggest a easy way of lining up the new opti without knowing where the slot is?\


tia

andy schuck

BlackBird87

iTrader: (6)

That's the fun part! i usually get the slot on the cam gear to point at 12 or 6 oclock and the line up the slot on the opti to match theres square notch at 6 oclock on the opti housing that i use as reference. remember not to force it on it should just slide on easily if you have it right

porksoda

iTrader: (39)

It is keyed. Look at the spline and the hole in the opti and cam. You will see how it is keyed/slotted for the spline drive.

andysc

iTrader: (6)

Thats the problem, I cannot see in the slot to see where the keyed part is. I thought it would be flush with the base of the timing cover, but the seal recesses it. And there is not much room with the fans right there. Let me know

tia

andy schuck

porksoda

iTrader: (39)

Pull the fans. They only unplug and lift off.

shbox

You're going to have be able to see what you are doing to get it lined up.

andysc

iTrader: (6)

thanks, I thought I would have to pull the radiator also. Just the fans is doable. Well I have something to do in the am. Once I am done I will be posting my opti replacement.


tia

andy schuck

Speedy

I use one of these with a flashlight:

mguidry629

iTrader: (6)

I couldn't ever get my 93 opti in without taking the cap off and turning the rotor until it slid right in. Then you just screw the cap back on. It only goes in one way unless you force it in and then you will have two keys slots on your cam, like I did. Crank up the car briefly before you bolt the water pump and crank pulley back on, just to make sure it's all in sync.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Surprisingly, the splined drives will almost sit flush when improperly installed. If it cranks slow like the battery is low but you know it isn't, then you got it a tooth advanced. I know bc this happened to me.

BlackBird87

iTrader: (6)

ive never that hard of a time with it

andysc

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for all your tips and suggestions. My first time doing this part, and I was not prepared for the splined shaft falling out. I can not prove it, but my car has 242k on it, and the old one was a GM opti, and doesn't look like it was replaced. I replaced the cap and rotor about 30k ago when I did the water pump, but I have had the car since it has 155k on it, so that is almost a 100kout of this opti that I can prove. Not too bad really


thanks again

andy schuck