How To Remove LT1 LT4 Optispark Opti Distributor

In this video, I show you how to remove the LT1 and LT4 Distributor also known as the Opti or Optispark. I show the tools that I used as well as some of the little tricks that I use to replace them.
If you like this video, please click that thumbs up button! It helps us out a lot.
Come over and visit the forum. Registration is FREE!
www.Z28.com

[@johnbustin377]

Best helpful and instructional and complete video of this type ever. So thankful.

[@Z28forum]

Sorry for the late reply. I'm glad that I could help out! Hope to see you on the forum soon! www.Z28.com

[@Altermyego-]

Good vid bro. Laid back. I can’t believe your fuckin crank hub came off like a feather.. good job

[@Z28forum]

Hey Kevin, thanks for the comment. You are right though, most balancers will not come off like mine did from the hub. But, when I recorded this video I was having an awful time with opti's and ended up going through something like 11 of them before I gave up and got a new brand. Lessons learned. But the first time was a little harder, but not much. I was pretty lucky with this one. www.Z28.com

[@frogylocz]

@@Z28forumwhat brand would you say has been the most solid you have dealt with?

[@martygrajeda3457]

Why did you take out the MSD?

[@futurestrader6435]

Did you ever do a video for the replacement install?

[@martygrajeda3457]

Can you tell me if a 1993 block and a 1997 block are the same?

[@ryangibson1900]

What is the best opti replacement? I've herd there all prone to early failure compared to oem. Is acdelco the best?

[@raginreggin3096]

If you can find one.

[@57LHemi]

Would a soaked opti-spark cause the car not to start?

[@Z28forum]

My apologies for missing this comment. Yes, if water got inside it, it could cause a no start situation. I just blew a radiator hose on my car, and it took out the opti.

[@Corsairforu]

Yep 18:05 don't remove hub cause they do no't have a keyway and it would take a whole video to do that correctly. Glad I can leave that on and change distributor when I do my water pump.

[@Z28forum]

You are correct, just getting the old one off is a major pain most of the time. Thanks for the comment! Hope to see you on the forum soon. www.Z28.com

[@yolofullsend]

I have an lt1 that is misfiring only at high rpms.. changed the coil and no difference.. I'm gunna change the plugs and wires tomorrow.. does this sound like a failing opti though?

[@Z28forum]

It could be a sign of some carbon tracking inside the cap of the distributor (opti). replacing the cap and rotor might help, but if you are going to go that far, might as well just replace it. That is a lot of work for just a cap. But if it otherwise drives pretty good, you may get away with it for a much cheaper price. Either way, let us know how it goes and what you find out in the end. And if you need more help, you can always come over to the forum and post up. Always happy to help. www.Z28.com

[@yolofullsend]

@@Z28forum thanks man.. I ordered a whole new optispark. Will be arriving in a few days.

[@lawtondevil]

That’s one leaky LT1 1 thing I can’t stand I be fixing all the oil leaks no matter what it is. I have a 96 CAMARO SS Now and doing the intake in the next few weeks.

[@chainshawz4476]

nice video! I own a 1993 corvette with an lt1 and I removed the cap and loctite the rotor screws and in water its much better. If you do that and go with an msd distributor which are 500.Yes they are expensive but they are made a lot better than anything else except dynaspark, but those are 600. so loctite on screws with cap off and its much better. I live in Oregon where it rains and rains most of the year! hope this helps. I do like your replacing steps too and the explanation of how the opti works!

[@chainshawz4476]

oh ps I have friends that put 100,000 miles on the optisparks and they are still running strong! cheers!

[@Z28forum]

The issue with the MSD opti is the optical sensor. I have one as have many of my friends and they all toss a low res code and need to be replaced. I don't know if they have fixed this in the last 5 years, but you can get a replacement sensor for $100 which is way less than a new opti from anyone, but mine just sits in the bottom tray of my tool cart.... Don't want to risk it going out again just to have to tear the front of the engine apart again to take it back off. It sure does look good though lol. Thanks for the comment and the kind words. This video was shot years ago when I was very new to how to videos. If (omg what am I saying...) I have to replace the opti again (yup, that's it, mine is going out tomorrow.... ), I will shoot another video with better video and audio quality. Hopefully lol. www.Z28.com

[@jeffshaw3126]

@@Z28forum after thought I want to replace the opti with either petril enterprises kit or go with a Bailey conversion kit to coils.

[@Z28forum]

I think we have some members that have done these conversions on the forum. I have thought about it myself just not sure it is worth it on my old car lol.

[@mulder2400]

"and in water its much better." WTF does that mean ?

[@WhitefolksT]

@25:08 this opti has the legit Mitsubishi optical sensor. Has the 3 diamond logo on the plug in.

[@tsoteelowe]

At 14:00 what is that plug called? I need to replace mine

[@johnbeer5242]

u should rebuilt the whole engine so your engine bay looks so clean like mine 💇🐎🍻🍺💇SS

[@Z28forum]

I can find much easier ways of cleaning up an engine other than rebuilding it :-D www.Z28.com