need help on msd opti
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 19
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From: annapolis md
need help on msd opti ok so i fucked up when removing the old opti. i forgot to mark the position of the rotor so my question is whats the easiest way to find the correct position for optimal timing.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,147
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From: Little Rock, AR
Is it possible to give the year of the car you are working on, so people know how to answer you correctly?
You didn't screw up. Just need the type of opti to provide the correct instructions.
You didn't screw up. Just need the type of opti to provide the correct instructions.
did you actually take it apart or just remove it from the car?
you didnt mess up at all if you just took it off the car.
93-94 Opti. Just line up the key and it will be in perfect time
95-97 opti
if you took the cap apart
you didnt mess up at all if you just took it off the car.
93-94 Opti. Just line up the key and it will be in perfect time
95-97 opti
if you took the cap apart
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 160
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From: Asheville, NC
Im gonna take a stab at it but, im assuming its a black 93 Camaro z28
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96 Formula WS6#555, LE2, Speedinc, 355, T56
LE2 H/C/I, Speedinc tuned, LPP, UMI, BMR, Dana S60, Street twin, blah blah blah.......
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96 Formula WS6#555, LE2, Speedinc, 355, T56
LE2 H/C/I, Speedinc tuned, LPP, UMI, BMR, Dana S60, Street twin, blah blah blah.......
haha lmao
TECH Veteran
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 62
From: Little Rock, AR
Hilarious. Do you know how many times a person says "oh, I got rid of that car years ago" or "oh, it's not my car. I am working on my buddy's car". Ever think of that? You cannot rely on a screen name. If people want help, they should give the necessary info.
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Tip for 93/94 cars.
The "keyed" shaft will fit in wrong easily if you've never done one before.
Insert it correctly a few times with the opti off, remember what it feels like, it pops right in.
If you have to apply pressure, you're doing it wrong, pull it out and try again.
I've seen far too many water pumps have to be pulled back off because someone didn't do it right.
As for marking the rotor position, don't worry about it.
Even if you took it all apart, it will only go back together one way, putting it back into proper alignment.
I've done quite a few opti / cap&rotor (MSD or otherwise) swaps for people.
The "keyed" shaft will fit in wrong easily if you've never done one before.
Insert it correctly a few times with the opti off, remember what it feels like, it pops right in.
If you have to apply pressure, you're doing it wrong, pull it out and try again.
I've seen far too many water pumps have to be pulled back off because someone didn't do it right.
As for marking the rotor position, don't worry about it.
Even if you took it all apart, it will only go back together one way, putting it back into proper alignment.
I've done quite a few opti / cap&rotor (MSD or otherwise) swaps for people.
The shaft will fit in wrong easily if you've never done it before.
Insert it correctly a few times, remember what it feels like, it pops right in.
If you have to apply pressure, you're doing it wrong, pull it out and try again.
I've done quite a few swaps with people.
Insert it correctly a few times, remember what it feels like, it pops right in.
If you have to apply pressure, you're doing it wrong, pull it out and try again.
I've done quite a few swaps with people.
Last edited by AChotrod; Dec 22, 2009 at 10:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 19
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From: annapolis md
ok i didnt take apart the msd distributor but when i put it on the car it would slide easily into multiple places so ive been pretty much guessing and testing. Today i got it running but it has a hard time starting and idling. i have a heads and a mild cam, would that cause it to have a hard time starting?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 19
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From: annapolis md
[QUOTE=Badazz 97 TA;12655061]did you actually take it apart or just remove it from the car?
you didnt mess up at all if you just took it off the car.
93-94 Opti. Just line up the key and it will be in perfect time
On the MSD opti i could not for the life of me find the index key, i dont know if im just retarded or its actually not there.
you didnt mess up at all if you just took it off the car.
93-94 Opti. Just line up the key and it will be in perfect time
On the MSD opti i could not for the life of me find the index key, i dont know if im just retarded or its actually not there.
Once you feel it, you'll know what I mean.
I've also had good luck twisting the shaft until the opti is at a known angle (IE: TDC or BDC)
then removing the shaft and installing it into the cam. You can then use the key
as a reference to orient the opti then twist it back into position so you can bolt it up.
If it's idling like crap or backfiring, the opti is either in wrong or the plug wires are crossed. (check 6 and 8)
Last edited by James Montigny; Dec 22, 2009 at 11:34 PM.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,147
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From: Little Rock, AR
[QUOTE=black93camaro;12656242] The instructions show a picture of what to look for.
http://www.msdignition.com/instructi...pdf?terms=8381
did you actually take it apart or just remove it from the car?
you didnt mess up at all if you just took it off the car.
93-94 Opti. Just line up the key and it will be in perfect time
On the MSD opti i could not for the life of me find the index key, i dont know if im just retarded or its actually not there.
you didnt mess up at all if you just took it off the car.
93-94 Opti. Just line up the key and it will be in perfect time
On the MSD opti i could not for the life of me find the index key, i dont know if im just retarded or its actually not there.
http://www.msdignition.com/instructi...pdf?terms=8381
