I HAVE A 94 LT1 CORVETTE THAT IM GETTING READY TO REPLACE THE OPTISPARK ON. I KNOW THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAS TO BE REMOVED AND I NOTICED THAT THERE ISNT A LOT OF ROOM IN BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE BALANCER AND THE RACK AND PINION. DOES THE RACK NEED TO BE MOVED? DOES THE MOTOR NEED JACKED UP? OR CAN I JUST SQUEEZE THE BALANCER OUT ONCE I GET IT LOOSE? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IM UP AGAINST AND ANY HELP WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. THANKS.......JEFF

 

This is a tricky job, from what I understand. I do not think you need to drop the rack or move it... and I am pretty sure you don't need to jack up the motor. You will want to remove as much stuff as possible from the general area to help you gain access to it. It IS tight in there, no doubt, but it is doable without droppin' the whole front clip. There is quite a bit of stuff to get outta your way, though, and those specifics I am murky on...... One of the techs here can give you much more in-depth info on this, I am sure.

 

Ask mech259[8D]

He's real good...

 

thanks, now i can sleep a little better..........jeff

 

Check this out:

http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/16758/

Or this (its from an F-Body but its the same LT1:

http://www.houston-f-body.org/tech/optispark/

 

You are on the right track, but the balancer should come off after you remove the 3 bolts that hold it to the hub. don't have to pull much away from hub to clear rack. Just did one of those today. Hint: Replace water pump since you are pulling it off unless it is pretty new already. [8D]

 

I just had one put on my 94 and the only thing that has come off is the waterpump to get to the optispark, but its best to replace the water pump also. If you take to a dealer it will cost about 1500.

 

Hi!! If you're following your maintenance schedule,replace your Opti-Spark as well as the water pump,since it's right there kind of in the way.How about doing the complete tune up while you're doing all that??I did a little before my '96 reached 100,000 miles.I also had my tranny serviced,the radiator flushed,well,you get the picture.But I would at least put a new water pump in as well as the Opti-Spark.Good luck.

 

I'm in the process of doing that job now on my 92. If the balancer doesn't want to come off after you have removed the 3 bolts, use some penetrating oil (Krol).You do not have to remove the hub and it should come off but don't damage the balancer in the process.

 

IM GETTING READY TO DO 1 ON MY 92, WATER PUMP AND OPTISPARK! IM NOT LOOKING FOWARD TO IT! GOODLUCK MAN