On a '94 Z28, I am trying to mount a new Opti back on the timing cover, but I can't tell if I'm properly aligning the notch in the splined drive/dowel into the slot in the timing cover. What is a good way to mount the Opti and how can you tell when the notches are properly lined up? Will the Opti be flush against the timing cover?

Here's what I'm talking about:
http://shbox.com/1/93-94_opti.jpg

 

The splines can only go in one way. The opti will slide on until the ears are against the block. Don't force it, and don't try to "drive" it on by tightening the bolts.

 

Okay, so the ears will go completely flush against the timing cover when the splines are properly aligned, right? Are the Opti "ears" what I have circled in the attached image?

Do you just use trial and error trying to mount the Opti, such that you continue to turn the splined dowel a little each time until it slides in? I've been trying this for a while with no luck.

-Thanks

 

Yes, those are the mounting ears. When I did mine, I took the cap off and turned the rotor until I could feel the splines line up. Then gave it a wiggle and a push to slide it on. Then put RTV around where the cap meets the base and screwed the cap back on. If you don't plan on doing that (which is a good idea btw), then trial & error is the way. Try it, turn it a little and try it again. Unless you can see the flat spot on the cam so you can index the opti shaft.
Are you hooking up a vent to yours too?

 

I took your advice and vented my Opti based on the Corvette Fever instructions http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/index.html. I am heavily reluctant to remove the Opti cap again because I sealed the screws with medium thread lock and coated the Opti perimeter with high temp, oil resistant, gasket maker. There should be no chance of oil or water getting in there this time (I also put a lot of electric grease on all of the outer connections). The Opti harness in the Corvette Fever instructions has been discontinued, according to an online GM parts store. So, I bought this Opti harness http://www.rmsautoparts.com/proddeta...?prod=12555323. Also, I couldn't find the T fitting that screws into the intake manifold, so I had to create my own.

I will try putting the Opti on again later today. Last night, I removed the cap off of my old broken Opti and attempted to mount it by turning the rotor and was unsuccessful with that one too.

Thanks for your help.

 

I got the new Opti on. I went back to using my old broken Opti with the cover removed and rotated the rotor until the Opti went on. Then I removed the old Opti and used it to see where I needed to turn the dowel in my new Opti. Once I had a good estimate on where the notch on the dowel needed to be, it didn't take long to get the new Opti on.

If you plan on venting a non-vented Opti, be careful when you mount the Y-fitting. If it sticks out too far, it will hit the crank hub. I vented a non-vented Opti I bought from thepartsladi on Ebay and my Y-fitting is very close to the crank hub.

Thanks for your help, Camaro 69

 

so when i do my 96 opti i dont have to worry about venting it right? is mine the newer vented style?

 

Yes yours is the new vented style, and it would be a simple r&r job....minus the "simple".