LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Opti question

Old Nov 16, 2015 | 05:09 PM
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Do you need to have the engine on TDC to install the Opti, or do I just line up the notch on the back and be ok?
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 05:45 PM
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No there is a pin that you can use to line it up unless you have a spline drive opti then it will only fit in the spline one way. If you have the pin on the came make sure you get it locked into the pin. if you can move the rotor at all when its slid into place then you missed the pin and have to retry to get it in.
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by 1toofastlt1
No there is a pin that you can use to line it up unless you have a spline drive opti then it will only fit in the spline one way. If you have the pin on the came make sure you get it locked into the pin. if you can move the rotor at all when its slid into place then you missed the pin and have to retry to get it in.
Not true. Someone told me this and my timing was off terrible. Went back, got TDC on cyl #1 and it was fine. OP: Take your number one spark plug out put your finger over the plug hole and have a friend hit the starter till it blows your finger off, take your opti, make sure it's the right slot, others will tell you it "can't go on wrong" but trust me.. It can. Ask me how I know
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 06:25 PM
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It does not need to be TDC. Regardless of drive type, if aligned & installed correctly, you will be fine.
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 07:45 PM
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It does not need to be at tdc.
If someone tells you it does they don't know their way around an lt1.
Just slide the opti onto the dowel on the end of the cam lining it up to the square slot of the opti. It can easily be distinguished from the other two slots.
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Old Nov 17, 2015 | 12:48 AM
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Thought so. If you look at the cam and look at the opti it's a notch there. Like no matter what the opti should match up timing wise.
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Old Nov 17, 2015 | 05:34 AM
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You just gotta stretch your back before hand, because you will be laying over the nose of the car trying to slide it in, nope, turn it a **** hair, try again, nope, another **** hair, nope, etc. just don't force it, it will slide in easy when it's lined up right.
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Old Nov 18, 2015 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 96LT1Z
It does not need to be at tdc.
If someone tells you it does they don't know their way around an lt1..
right. The opti spark has two slots on the back, one with a slit above the slot, this is the correct spot for the dowel pin to go into. There's TDC for cylinder #6 and TDC for cylinder #1. I have read and read and read people saying there's no need to have find TDC. Even the LT1 experts, but the 7 times I've had my opti off I've always hit TDC on the #1 cylinder and aligned the slot on the back of the opti to the #1 TDC spot for the dowel pin to go into. The very first time I did this my motor wouldn't even fire up because the timing was off... Another rookie mistake was I didn't test fire it before putting the waterpump and EVERYTHING ELSE on... Not to mention letting the RTV cure a whole 24 hours just to later check that it didn't even work... not saying I'm right, but it just never worked out for me to just "put the opti on" doesn't mean I don't know my way around an LT1.....
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Obviously, it can be put on wrong, but if you can correctly follow directions, it will be right.
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