So you're driving an LT1 ey? Noble cause given the Achilles heal nearly every LT1 owner will deal with at one point in their car's life, the OPTISPARK! Designed as an UPGRADE to the type of ignition systems which GM became famous for, the general made a couple of large engineering blunders which cemented this part in the automotive part history books (if they existed ).

Here are the main issues with the unit.

* Sensor failure due to introduction of moisture\condensation (waterpump usually)
* Sensor failure due to heat\RPMS
* Failure of the rotor (resulting usually in cap\rotor explosion)
* Failure of the screws holding the rotor (resulting in the same)
* Failure of the cap due to heat


So what can you do to keep your unit in good shape? The short answer is

PROPER MAINTENANCE

The longer answer is

PROPER MAINTENANCE w/ a bit of luck

Expecting any distributor, even the tried and true HEI design to last 200K miles is asking a bit much. Once you factor in hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of rotations, calculations, the placement of the part in the engine etc etc Its not realistic to expect the part to last forever. However, its not uncommon for them to fail in short order. Its also not unusual for them to past 100,000 as well.

So what is the difference between a 100K optispark, and one with a shorter failure interval? Well, usually a couple things. Here's what you can do to keep your unit running good and extend the life of your optispark.

* Depending on your driving habits, replace the cap and rotor every 30-60K miles. Shorter realistically given the cheap price of a replacement.
* When you replace your optispark, replace the waterpump WITH it. Don't cheap out on it, because if you do, you risk leaking into your unit and it failing.
* Make sure your engine is properly cooled, high under-hood temperature will encourage failures.
* Avoid driving through large puddles or in large rainstorms.
* If you are getting your car detailed, make sure you tell them your car's weak spot and warn them against an under-hood power wash.
* If you notice your water pump failing, replace it IMMEDIATELY.

Added by members
*"Beware of going threw power car washes with the air dryer as you leave, I was in a hurry one day and decided to go threw one. The air shoved water into my 100k mile opti and thats "the end of the story"" -DJJAB57


Ultimately, even the best maintained car will see a failure given a long enough period of time, but these simple steps can extend its life and keep your unit running strong.

Also, consider throwing salt over your shoulder and avoid stepping in cracks.

 

None of that does any good without this:



LIVE!!!

 

I just talked with another member about that. I'm torn on it. Its much better to just replace the cap and rotor every 30-60K, or sooner given the low cost. You can loctite the screws down, but it won't prevent a full blown rotor failure which results in a total unit failure.

I'm going to take a look at my box full of warrantied distros and see how many of them have loctite in them.

 

I stripped the allen heads on my msd rotor trying to take it out with red loctite. I can't imagine if I had on it.

 

Blue Loctite is plenty strong. I don't know why anyone would even use red.

 

For those out of the loop, the green loctite and "Live" is fast becoming a cult classic joke around here. A member insisted that the green variety, used for preassembled parts ("wicking"), would do better than the time-honored use of red loctite (high strength). Maybe he was pulling some legs (of those who insist that the screws shouldn't be touched, hence the wicking variety for "preassembled"). Maybe he was serious. At any rate, he's got a fast ride and posts good ETs and you'd think most of what he has to say is useful. It's the internet, so it's hhard to tell sometimes. But we have a good laugh every time someone says Green! Live!!!!!1, etc.

 

LMFAO!!!! That was great!

 

I want to drive my car with those goggles, a marlin spike cigarette and a flatcap... Young Frankenstein FTW- good one, Joe.

 

Didn't take long for this thread to take a 180 degree turn lol

 

Perfect, Pants. Perfect.

 

Haha that was good

 

Impossible for me on this one

 

theres nothin wrong w/ drivin thru large puddles.. you just need to make sure your going fast enough so that you glide right over it

 

Lol I thought this was going to be a thread where we pray to the LT1 gods and offer sacrifices for the good of our Opti's.

 

http://www.americandigest.org/mt-arc...h101-thumb.jpg


So i can't do this with my car?

 

thats all ya need to do right there!!!

 

For some unknown reason I've had excellent luck with the optispark. I've had the car since new and only had two optis. I still have the original, which is still in working condition as a spare. I had to loc-tite (did not use GREEN, but RED instead and it still LIVES!) the screws, but never had a hiccup after that. My current one has not been apart and is managing 7200rpm nicely even after three years/7000 miles of abuse.
I'm rolling....

 

Beware of going threw power car washes with the air dryer as you leave, I was in a hurry one day and decided to go threw one. The air shoved water into my 100k mile opti and thats "the end of the story"

 

Dude, that's a sweet carboat.

 

+1 I guess he doesn't have any confidence that his opti's are sealed when they are assembled. There's no reason a rain storm or hosing down the engine should harm the opti.