I am and LT1 wagon owner

So my question is:

Since the motor is out what are some of the things that should be done to the motor prior to reinstalling it. Preventative maintenance of upgrading, for years of trouble free driving once back together. Timing chain, water pump, this opti spark i hear about, but know nothing about. Upgrades and other things along that line.

Thanks in adavnce. I hope to have this new ride done for 2013 WF season.

Congrats! Between you and I we destroyed a collection, lol.
As an FYI, that front clip has more miles on it than the rest of the car.

The clip entered the family in my driveway, went to Ontario, Virginia, SC, and now NY. All without an engine hee hee hee.

If the motor was out I would do all the gaskets, seals, vaccuum lines, everything that is a PITA do when in the car.

LOL! good one. it will see miles on it and it will be repainted yet again.

I've missed something... are you putting an LT1 in your '93 or have you bought a new wagon?

I bought Brokecello's 95' White wagon with the roadmaster sedan front clip

As long as it's not a leaker, I'd do intake manifold gaskets, timing cover seals, and then plugs, wires, and distributor (optispark), and a water pump and stuff it back in and enjoy it.

Just about anything aftermarket, other than a tune, exhaust, etc. is going to make it less reliable.
They are pretty darn enjoyable as they are (with posi & better gear ratio). heh heh

Oh.... well congrats and let me add my 2¢ to your initial question. Replace the manifold bolts with grade 8 bolts, the factory rear ones as you'll find are probably snapped already. I think it's just the rear ones that were prone to snapping, but I'm not 100% sure. Also, don't cheap out on the OptiSpark distributor cap, the cheap ones I've found can be duds right out of the box.

Thanks guy's and yeah I just want to get top of the line stuff and leave it mostly stock. It's going to be my summer driver. Really clean summer driver. Chris told me has has 3.08 rear available, so i told him i will take that too.

What rear does the wagon have in it now?

I'm happy to hear that you got it Jarrod, I know you will do it up right!

Without a doubt reseal the engine. Do the rear main also, if it is an original, it is 17 years old. Be sure to install correctly, use special tool if available. Easier now than later.

I also agree with Lynol use a quality Opti-Spark ignition system OE or MSD. Get ready to pay some big bucks though. No skimping here. You'll need a special balancer puller and installer.

He congrats and glad you are getting this car. Looking forward to seeing it on the road!

On top of what's been said, do the oil pan gasket as well, very difficult to do while in the car. In the past I have used both delco and BWD cap and rotor kits and have been happy with both. If you want the entire opti go with delco only.

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Seriously $460 for the opti spark???? if thats the case only the best will do cus I do NOT want to do it again. This goes for all parts being replaced. Sound like the new name for the ride is Money Pit.

1993 Roady-man wrote:

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Seriously $460 for the opti spark???? if thats the case only the best will do cus I do NOT want to do it again. This goes for all parts being replaced. Sound like the new name for the ride is Money Pit.

Check Rock Auto....love those guys. You may do better.

Got 105K on my Roady now and a major tune-up is in it's future....and I've been sweating about parts prices too. She runs fine now, knock on fake wood, but for all I know my plugs are even still original....

1993 Roady-man wrote:

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Seriously $460 for the opti spark???? if thats the case only the best will do cus I do NOT want to do it again. This goes for all parts being replaced. Sound like the new name for the ride is Money Pit.

Jarrod, you come from the dirt cheap parts world of TBI motors as I did. You will come to find EVERYTHING for the LT1 is more expensive...

Thus the reason for me adding that pix to my signature. When done I hope she runs for years or until i sell her.

LT1 is a high-maintenance girlfriend, but she is worth it on the roadbed.

PS: My current opti has stayed with me for six years now.

did the delphi lady ever reappear on ebay?? delphi opti IS a Delco opti

I went through 4 opti's in 4 months. First with the reman units, then new chinese junk, then finally the real deal. been like 3/4 years with the delphi.

Jarrod - LMK when you are going down 81 to get the wagon. You will have to stop at the house, we will make you dinner/lunch.

Call me if you want to discuss LT1 stuff. I have done two motors now and seem to have a nack for buying parts competitively. And yes ROCK AUTO is the first place to check. Optis - MSD and AC Delco would be the only two I would purchase. Keep in mind the DELCO is no longer the same color, so probably not the same original provider. Who know where they are buying them.

Tim

Thats what the PO had installed in my 95 and the damn thing starts too quickly.Engine turns
less than 1 revolution before starting which is great except when its real cold.I would like for
it to spin a few times when the car has been sitting!First car I've ever owned that starts so quickly since the era of points and condensers.Pay a little more now instead of buying junk
parts over and over!

Oh the opti spark drama!!,..*yawn*

put a new cap and rotor on it,.,...make sure the vents clear,.
lock tight the rotor screws,. drive like the little old lady driver you are,. and it'll last 100,000 miles, or more,.
It,s not guaranteed that the fail right at 100,000,.lots go double that,.new plugs and wires is important,.

Nick

LOL Nick Nick Nick,... I know your jealous because you can't find a TBI to drive because there all taken, and I know you base your little old lady remarks on my TBI wagon, but I beat that poor thing alot and she just keeps on a ticking. It's ok to be wrong the passion you have when you talk about the TBI's is overwhelming,... so just get that TBI you always wanted. It's ok, the guy's here will forget what you said about them.

Well...1st thing you need to do is pick it up! lol.

I can go over the things Ive done when you come too! They are easy to work on once you get used to them...


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Nice And I just sealed a deal to borrow a new truck to tow her back. So she is coming North for sure.

Pm me. I'm a GM parts dude. I'll hook ya up the BEST I can on any GM parts.

Btw....where'd ya get that cover?

3TONFUN wrote:

Pm me. I'm a GM parts dude. I'll hook ya up the BEST I can on any GM parts.

You have been holding out on us!!??

BigBlackBeaSSt wrote:

3TONFUN wrote:

Pm me. I'm a GM parts dude. I'll hook ya up the BEST I can on any GM parts.

You have been holding out on us!!??

Yeah WTH,... and nice to know.

Jarrod, a b-body friend of mine is selling a lightly used MSD opti for 200 shipped on the ISSF. I will personally vouch for him. I've purchased quite a few things from him and he's given me alot of stuff too. crap says it is considered sold. shoot him a PM and tell him your my buddy and will take it if it falls through.

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As for what Nick says above. I bought my RMW with 135K on the original opti. I replaced the cap and rotor and the car has 208K on it now. Aside from the cap and rotor and wires, I haven't touched the opti. Oh I replaced the vent harness too. other than that.....haven't touched it.

BTW the wires are easier to do with the water pump off the car. I replaced that as well, figured it was off the car already....

1993 Roady-man wrote:

BigBlackBeaSSt wrote:

3TONFUN wrote:

Pm me. I'm a GM parts dude. I'll hook ya up the BEST I can on any GM parts.

You have been holding out on us!!??

Yeah WTH,... and nice to know.

Uhh...yeah!!

Sprocket wrote:

Jarrod, a b-body friend of mine is selling a lightly used MSD opti for 200 shipped on the ISSF. I will personally vouch for him. I've purchased quite a few things from him and he's given me alot of stuff too. crap says it is considered sold. shoot him a PM and tell him your my buddy and will take it if it falls through.

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As for what Nick says above. I bought my RMW with 135K on the original opti. I replaced the cap and rotor and the car has 208K on it now. Aside from the cap and rotor and wires, I haven't touched the opti. Oh I replaced the vent harness too. other than that.....haven't touched it.

BTW the wires are easier to do with the water pump off the car. I replaced that as well, figured it was off the car already....

Sent him an pm just now. Hope he still has it.

3TONFUN wrote:

Btw....where'd ya get that cover?

Yes, where?

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This guy was out of Jersey and had a display set up with Opti's. He puts a 3 year warranty on them. $125 seemed pretty reasonable.