(96 lt1)Trying to get the opti off and need some help
06-22-2011, 09:38 PM
#1
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(96 lt1)Trying to get the opti off and need some help Do I have to pull off the Harmonic Balancer? If so, do I have to have a puller or some kind of removal kit? I have gotten 3 bolts off of the opti but can't feel/see the rest...
06-22-2011, 09:52 PM
#2
Harmonic Balancer needs to be taken off. I got mine off with a hammer. I just easily pried around it until it came off. Mine had been recently removed so it came off pretty easily, if yours has never been off you may need to rent a puller. The actual crank hub behind the pulley doesn't need to come off though.
06-22-2011, 09:59 PM
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Harmonic Balancer needs to be taken off. I got mine off with a hammer. I just easily pried around it until it came off. Mine had been recently removed so it came off pretty easily, if yours has never been off you may need to rent a puller. The actual crank hub behind the pulley doesn't need to come off though.
06-22-2011, 10:27 PM
#5
ok ok ok dont get confused with above post...the pulley is in fact the balancer....it does need to come off...but you can unbolt the 3 bolts the hold it in place to the hub and then proceed to take off the opti. I dont recall if it gets tricky to remove the 3 bolts but it can be done....and the pully/balancer comes off without a puller. but some times u have to pry it off its stubborn.
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06-22-2011, 10:47 PM
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06-23-2011, 06:02 AM
#10
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Since the hub is not keyed you should never depend on the arrow to tell you where TDC is. If running the opti there really is no need to use TDC for anything except one certain valve adjusting procedure.
06-23-2011, 01:07 PM
#14
good lord the info in this thread..........first off dont even go near the balancer with a hammer to remove it lol............go down to your local auto parts store and rent a puller........its really easy to use....pull the balancer off and theres three bolts to take the opti off......then the opti will slide right out of the machined bore in the nose of the camshaft........when yout put it back together be sure to look at the clover leaf pattern on the back of the opti and line up the pin in the cam with the hole with the little square indexing mark on it............also when you put the opti back on i would replace the timing cover seal while you are there........its cheap and easy and can prevent leaks down the road......good luck with your project!!! 
06-23-2011, 03:35 PM
#17
spray it down with some pb blaster let it sit for an hour, then smack it a bunch with a dead blow itll come off without a puller.. they just get crusty and stick a little you dont need to get a puller
deleted below post.. didnt see 96 in the title
deleted below post.. didnt see 96 in the title
06-23-2011, 04:53 PM
#18
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For the record the LT1 does not have a balancer. It is a damper. Pretty significant difference.
Agreed. Once you get a little play/wobble out of it then you can work it off pretty easy. Just make sure to have a good grip on it once it decides to break free.
Agreed. Once you get a little play/wobble out of it then you can work it off pretty easy. Just make sure to have a good grip on it once it decides to break free.
06-23-2011, 06:07 PM
#19
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good lord the info in this thread..........first off dont even go near the balancer with a hammer to remove it lol............go down to your local auto parts store and rent a puller........its really easy to use....pull the balancer off and theres three bolts to take the opti off......then the opti will slide right out of the machined bore in the nose of the camshaft........when yout put it back together be sure to look at the clover leaf pattern on the back of the opti and line up the pin in the cam with the hole with the little square indexing mark on it............also when you put the opti back on i would replace the timing cover seal while you are there........its cheap and easy and can prevent leaks down the road......good luck with your project!!!
