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New Opti and water pump install (Dial-Up BEWARE!!)

Posted: 5/19/10 6:20amMessage 11 of 25

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flandy Lifetime #45

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Lawrenceville, GA - USA

Joined: 10/25/2002

Posts: 121

Vette(s): 1968 427 coupe and 96 LT4 six speed Gran Sport clone

Very nice job with all of the photo's. I just had a shop here in GA. replace the Opti in my 96 LT-4, they put an Accel unit in as well as a new w. pump, mucho deniro, but you can't go anywhere with no spark! Good job-Phil

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New Opti and water pump install (Dial-Up BEWARE!!)

Posted: 5/19/10 8:49amMessage 12 of 25

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redvette89

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Huron, OH - USA

Joined: 12/5/2009

Posts: 179

Vette(s): 1989 Red Convertible - 160,000 fun-filled miles -

Thanks Phil for the terrific write up and pictures. All of your helpful hints are invaluable

Dave

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New Opti and water pump install (Dial-Up BEWARE!!)

Posted: 5/26/10 11:32amMessage 13 of 25

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Horton1339

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Ashburn, VA - USA

Joined: 10/30/2009

Posts: 13

Vette(s): 1993 40th Anniversary Coupe

This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing. I have a 93 that I know I will be replacing the opti spark soon. When I first bought the car 3 years ago I decided to wash down the engine compartment. Bad move on my part. 3 Days later the car started.
Anyway I also get that slight hesitation when it first starts up. Will follow your guidelines once I get the balls to dive into the project.

Mike

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New Opti and water pump install (Dial-Up BEWARE!!)

Posted: 5/31/10 6:05amMessage 14 of 25

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sfindlan

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Badin Lake, NC - USA

Joined: 4/21/2004

Posts: 127

Vette(s): 1979 Red L-48 Corvette with Doeskin interior, 3-speed automatic, 3.55 rear; 1986 L-98 Coupe, 4+3 Manual - Satin Black and Purple (SCCA TT/Hillclimb Car); 1993 White LT-1 Coupe, Black Interior, 6-speed

Good job and thanks for taking the time to share. The photos and description are much better than the few cryptic instructions from my factory manual. I will have to do this job soon myself. Thanks!

C3: 1979 Corvette Coupe, Auto, L-48, Red/Doeskin (my wife's fave);

C4s: 1986 C4 coupe (SCCA road race car), satin black, 4+3, Z51 package, L-98; & 1993 C4 coupe, white, 6-speed, LT-1.

http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/6001_6100/6032/P102018120111222163715r.jpg

http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14301_14400/14327/WolfRidge-Dusk-by-GRM20111222173029r.jpg

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New Opti and water pump install (Dial-Up BEWARE!!)

Posted: 6/11/10 11:39amMessage 15 of 25

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RonRock

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Underwood, IA - USA

Joined: 6/9/2010

Posts: 2

Vette(s): 1995

Great write up. Should be very helpful to many. Should be a "Sticky"

Are these "Opti Spark" modules that sensitive to water? Can I power wash my engine without much concern?

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New Opti and water pump install (Dial-Up BEWARE!!)

Posted: 6/11/10 5:02pmMessage 16 of 25

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96LT1

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Powhatan, VA - USA

Joined: 3/20/2009

Posts: 305

Vette(s): 1996 Polo Green LT1 Coupe

[QUOTE=RonRock]Great write up. Should be very helpful to many. Should be a "Sticky"

Are these "Opti Spark" modules that sensitive to water? Can I power wash my engine without much concern?
[/QUOTE]

There is a seal (large o-ring) between the opti distributor cap and the distributor housing-- that is usually what fails with age and over time--allowing moisture/water inside the opti distributor. In the case of a water pump ( directly above the "opti") leaking--- then coolant can get inside the "opti" and ruin it.

In your case assuming you don't know the history/age of the opti---I'd suggest covering the opti distributor w/plastic trash bag-- use your engine cleaner of choice and a water/garden hose to rinse-- NOT a pressure washer. In '95 & '96 GM improved the "optis" they are vented using engine vacuum to help pull moisture out of them---but if the seal is bad/weak it's possible a pressure washer might force water inside the "opti".

When cleaning the engine---it should be cold--when finished take it for a nice long drive to dry the engine. The reasoning here is if you "soak" a hot engine and let it cool while wet the distributor can pull water inside as it cools--if for example the seal is not 100%. This ignition system is not as lousy IMO as some people think---just use a little caution and good judgement when cleaning the engine compartment. Hope this helps.

Vaughn

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Re: New Opti and water pump install (Dial-Up BEWARE!!)

Posted: 12/28/22 10:11amMessage 17 of 25

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Dans vette

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Hartselle, AL - USA

Joined: 12/11/2015

Posts: 18

Vette(s): 1994 C4 corvette

I put in three OPTi sparks in 12,000 miles. The last one only lasted about 1000 miles. I did away with the optispark and put in a MSD ignition. It cost me a little bit but I plan on keeping the car and driving it. It is a 94 with only 92,000 miles on it. The car has run better now than it has ever run since I had it. OK, it may not be original now, but it is not going to leave me sitting on the side of the road again. I have been sitting on the side of the road. At least a half dozen times. I could drive it and it would just shut off. Sometimes it would crank right back up. I could try to crank it every day for 2 weeks and it would not start. The next day I go out there it starts and runs fine. The next day I get in it, it turns over and doesn’t start. That’s why I went with the MSD ignition. Got rid of that problem.

|UPDATED|12/28/2022 10:11:26 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: New Opti and water pump install (Dial-Up BEWARE!!)

Posted: 5/15/24 3:17pmMessage 18 of 25

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Joeydibis

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West Harrison, NY - USA

Joined: 4/17/2023

Posts: 2

Vette(s): 1995 Corvette, black , coupe 350, 300 hp

Nice job , great photos

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Re: New Opti and water pump install (Dial-Up BEWARE!!)

Posted: 5/15/24 5:16pmMessage 19 of 25

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manchestershark

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Equinunk, PA - USA

Joined: 10/31/2007

Posts: 2570

Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

Hi, My 93' let me down at 70 mph on the four lane in Kentucky. I live in Pennsylvania! You guessed it. Opti spark was done. Had it trailered back home. Once it was opened up, Everything was replaced. Senders, hoses, wires, plugs, waterpump, coolant, belts. If it had to come off to fix it, I replaced it. Waterpump was leaking, and gaskets were bad. V.A.T.S was bypassed. Caused some angst as well. Runs good now, and starts with a bump of the starter. A driver for a enjoyable ride. Glad your project is the same.

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