Hey Guys,

My 94 Caprice 9C1 (LT1 cop car) isn't hitting on the #6 & 8 cylinders. Injectors are OK, compression test reveals nothing out of the ordinary. The dealership suggested the distributor cap (they call it a cap even though it's flat and right behind the balancer) might be arcing across 6&8 since they're right next to each other. Anyone have any experience with this problem? The cap is $160!!!
Thanks for any help/suggestions

[This message has been edited by bigdog454 (edited 10-12-2001).]

Don't know anything about these other than I've heard that the "rotor screws" fall out in the Corvettes with the front mounted distributor. Might be worth a look.

I think what the dealership is referring to is the "Opti-spark" unit. I don't believe it has any servicible parts. The units are prone to go bad over time...and replacing it is no picnic.

You may want to post this over at the Corvette Forum or Camaros.net. They might have more people that know about this...

www.corvetteforum.com (http://www.corvetteforum.com)
www.camaros.net (http://www.camaros.net)

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1969 Caprice (It's not an Impala darnit!)
427/M-20 Finally!
12-bolt 4.10 Posi
13.45 @ 105

1966 Caprice
396/325 TH-400
15.38 @ 97.4

Andy and Nick's Muscle Car Half-way House (http://www.public.iastate.edu/~amcarthu)

That system is called "Optispark". What usually happens is the water pump fails, causing a little coolant to weep out of the pump, in turn causing the distributor to fail.
Or, the disributor itself just failed. The fix is to replace the complete Optispark system, don't go for a "rebuild" kit and do the water pump while you're at it.
You can go to www.impalassforum.com (http://www.impalassforum.com) to read all you want about the car, it's a forum similar to this one. There's a guy name Dal Slabaugh, who works at a dealership and sells parts for Imapala SS/ Caprice LT1 crowd, if you want to e-mail him, he can get you the parts at cost.E-mail him at.
lockitup@bright.net
Good luck! BTW, those 9C1's are cool, huh? Oh, check out 9C1.com, too. More great info on your car.


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Nick P.
Team Chevelle Gold #36
http://people.ne.mediaone.net/nicpal/home.htm www.chevelles.com/showroom/Nick's1970ChevelleSS396.jpg (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Nick's1970ChevelleSS396.jpg)

I believe that 94 was the last year that the Optispark unit wasn't vented. I have read that the air ionizes in the unit and causes irratic spark. This may not be your problem but when you replace it you might want to vent the new one.

I had a 94 Vette in 1996/97 time fame that had a bad miss in it (only 3000 miles on car). It had a bad "Opti Spark" unit that was covered under warranty even though I was not original owner. My recollection was that this was an unadvertised "recall" on the 94 LT1 Vette as there were some deffective units. Although not explained in detail, I think there was some bulletin that came out from GM on this issue that indicated it was to be replaced under warranty. Not sure it would apply unfortunately on a 7-8 year old car now however. Also my recollection was that it was about an 8 hour job to do as it is underneath and alot of the front of the motor accesories had to be removed to get at it. Once it was replaced it ran like a Swiss watch again.

Hope this helps

Mytmouse

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67 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi Butternut Yellow w/Black Vinyl (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Mytmouse/mytmouse.html)
68 RS Z/28 302 350+Hp? 4sp 4:10 Posi, Euro Red on Black (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Myts_Mouse/myts_mouse.html)
70 SS396 350HP 4 sp 3:55 Posi, Black on Black (http://www.pascale.org/Muscle_Cars/Myt_70/myt_70.html)

Mytmouse A.K.A. Robert Stacho
ACES Member # 04359

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>unadvertised "recall"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Check out the TSB's on the cars. Technical Service Bulletins can be checked through the 'net and maybe it will clue you in.

Another thing....though this Impala is a '94 you may be able to "PO5" it (this is a Ford term, but I'm sure GM has a similar system) inwhich the customer isn't happy with the product and the dealer, manufacturer and customer each pay a certain percentage of the repair or just the manufacturer and dealer each pay a certain percentage of it. With your Dad's Impala's age and the expected miles that should be on this thing I'm almost certain this would be out of the question, but you never know.

Don't you just love learning the little ways of getting someone else to pay for it?

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Does anyone know how to get to Sesame Street?



[This message has been edited by 72SSAbody (edited 10-11-2001).]

Thanks much guys, I appreciate the help