Opti
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Conway AR
Opti Well I got my opti in today...after the car has been dead since October 18th....God I hate being broke.
I am having to do the install in front of my apartment on the ground--I am a bit scared of the install because I haven't really found a good solid write up (I've read the one that used to have pics and found a couple others) just wanted to know any tips and advice you guys had...I know I need to locktite the rotor screw.
Parts I need:
1) Opti (got a delphi from thepartsladi)
2) Water pump gasker (I assume its available at auto zone)
3) RTV (for the water pump gasket and bolts??)
4) Antifreeze for refilling the radiator ( what are your reccomendations?)
I'm prob forgetting something but feel free to add anything and any advice.
I am having to do the install in front of my apartment on the ground--I am a bit scared of the install because I haven't really found a good solid write up (I've read the one that used to have pics and found a couple others) just wanted to know any tips and advice you guys had...I know I need to locktite the rotor screw.
Parts I need:
1) Opti (got a delphi from thepartsladi)
2) Water pump gasker (I assume its available at auto zone)
3) RTV (for the water pump gasket and bolts??)
4) Antifreeze for refilling the radiator ( what are your reccomendations?)
I'm prob forgetting something but feel free to add anything and any advice.
The o ring gaskets for the WP shaft, you can get both the WP houseing gaskets & O ring gaskets @ your local GM dealer, you should already have new O rings for the opti shaft, just take your time on the install, the only real problem i ran into was getting the opti to allign up once the slot was in the cam, its that outer curcled part in the back of the opti houseing, you have to get it just right so it will fall in place, its like a 1/16 of an inch or so that slips in to keep it centered, you'll notice if its not on all the way in (flush), the opti will rock from side too side alittle & there will be a small gap between where it mates, just be careful, because you can crack it if its not flush & you tighten down the bolts. Just a tip.
replace the seal around the opti where it meets the timing cover. get some PB blaster for the harmonic balancer bolts.some degreaser to clean all the crud on the timing cover if you have any. good luck. ive done it 3 times( not all on my car) . its not that bad. Longtubes is another story!!
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Ashland KY
Should find the gasket at advance auto parts, and as for the antifreeze my car has a sticker under the hood saying it requires a special dextron extended life but you might not have to worry about that. you can never go wrong with a 50/50 mix
Trending Topics
I've never pulled the Timing Cover for an OPTI change..
I've used RTV on the Water Pump Gaskets..I just spread very little bit of it all over the Gasket to get it sticky and I've never had any problems.
Get you a Bucket and a Pan so you can put the Coolant in it when you drain it.
I wish I was in town cause I still have a Seal Kit for the LT1 '95 Timing Cover if you do pull it..lol
I've used RTV on the Water Pump Gaskets..I just spread very little bit of it all over the Gasket to get it sticky and I've never had any problems.
Get you a Bucket and a Pan so you can put the Coolant in it when you drain it.
I wish I was in town cause I still have a Seal Kit for the LT1 '95 Timing Cover if you do pull it..lol
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Well I got my opti in today...after the car has been dead since October 18th....God I hate being broke.
I am having to do the install in front of my apartment on the ground--I am a bit scared of the install because I haven't really found a good solid write up (I've read the one that used to have pics and found a couple others) just wanted to know any tips and advice you guys had...I know I need to locktite the rotor screw.
Parts I need:
1) Opti (got a delphi from thepartsladi)
2) Water pump gasker (I assume its available at auto zone)
3) RTV (for the water pump gasket and bolts??)
4) Antifreeze for refilling the radiator ( what are your reccomendations?)
I'm prob forgetting something but feel free to add anything and any advice.
I am having to do the install in front of my apartment on the ground--I am a bit scared of the install because I haven't really found a good solid write up (I've read the one that used to have pics and found a couple others) just wanted to know any tips and advice you guys had...I know I need to locktite the rotor screw.
Parts I need:
1) Opti (got a delphi from thepartsladi)
2) Water pump gasker (I assume its available at auto zone)
3) RTV (for the water pump gasket and bolts??)
4) Antifreeze for refilling the radiator ( what are your reccomendations?)
I'm prob forgetting something but feel free to add anything and any advice.
kinda pissed my partladi opti was DOA.
There is NO need to pull the timing cover to change the Opti. I fought opti probs on my '93 for about 6 months. I literally had Opti's in and out of that thing nearly a dozen times for various reasons. I never once used gaskets, RTV works fine. The hardest part of the whole job is actually wrestling the water pump out after is loose. It's not a difficult job. Go for it.
I purchased a couple from thepartslady and was very pleased with the transactions.
BTW, after you realize Opti's totally suck, do what I did and go with a coil conversion kit like I did.......I went with a Delteq and haven't had a problem since! I spent as much replacing Opti's as I did on the Delteq, wish I had done it the first time.
I purchased a couple from thepartslady and was very pleased with the transactions.
BTW, after you realize Opti's totally suck, do what I did and go with a coil conversion kit like I did.......I went with a Delteq and haven't had a problem since! I spent as much replacing Opti's as I did on the Delteq, wish I had done it the first time.
lol I used a torque wrench on my current engine build. However, if you have done enough bolts, you can usually tell when you have tightened it enough. You can get a torque wrench at Harbor Freight for $20 if you need one.
You can get away without a torque wrench for an opti job.
Don't use RTV on the bolts, use permatex thread sealant on the WP bolts. A little dirt in the bolt passages and you could end up with a leak at one of the bolts if you don't use sealant.
I use a "smear" of RTV on the WP gaskest to hold them on the block to make the job easier. It's not necessary though, the gaskets seal fine.
Don't use RTV on the bolts, use permatex thread sealant on the WP bolts. A little dirt in the bolt passages and you could end up with a leak at one of the bolts if you don't use sealant.
I use a "smear" of RTV on the WP gaskest to hold them on the block to make the job easier. It's not necessary though, the gaskets seal fine.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Conway AR
About the locktite on the rotor screw...I was looking at this thing and how the hell do I get it apart? Is it needed on a new OEM piece I know it is reccomended on the aftermarket ones.
