I replaced my water pump yesterday because it was leaking for a few days. While I had the whole thing apart I took the optispark distributor off to take a look at it. I put it all back together and now the car is popping when i give it short throttle bursts and slightly popping while idling. But it runs fine if I keep it at a steady rpm above idle. I havent drove the car yet though. I broke some of the plastic on the optispark that the coil wire connects to. Could it not be getting a good connection and cause the car to make popping noises? Also is there a way to put the optispark distributor on wrong or does it only fit one way? Is it possible that i slightly changed the timing by taking it off and not putting it back the same way it was?

 

Why do u need to look at Optispark if it's workin fine?!?
IDK a whole lot about everything, just a little to be dangerous.

That said, I'm unsure of bad connection or popping noises or other questions, but sometimes popping could be a loose plug wire or mixed up wires. Opti's are extremely moisture sensitive. That much I do know.

 

I wanted to take it apart and look inside because coolant and water has been leaking on it for a few days but i got it off and decided not to.

 

Uh oh. I hope for your sake & your wallet's, there's no issue. They're not cheap. I know all this cause I have an LT1 in my older truck. IDK your current financial situation, but have u ever seen where some convert to the more moisture environment friendly LS C.O.P. system? I'm running Opti in that older truck & if I keep it & ever have a problem w/. Opti, on goes LS for spark. Either thru junkyard components or the upgrade kit; just an option or 2. The MSD Opti is also supposed to be improved, as it relates to spark output, but moisture resistant housing too.

I'm goin from memory, but I'd have to look thru some old copies of GMHTP to confirm but IIRC, Opti is kinda like a magnetic pulse trigger wheel, & I only mean this in this regard, in that it determines spark based upon pinpoint degrees of timing. Extremely accurate. Sorry, I may not be explaining 100% correctly, since I haven't driven that truck in a very long time as it sits w/. the rear blown up.

Does that help?

 

It was running fine before i replaced the pump. Even after water has been leaking on it for days.

 

I had a 95' impala SS with opti.

Get a new cap/ rotor and wires. Im betting your cap is your prob.

Also Optisparks have vent holes which get clogged and increase moisture inside of cap causing misfires.

 

That's actually what my LT1 came outta Tim, a '95 SS Impy.

I almost bought a new from GM '96 Impy in GGM. Man that was a sweet color & a sweet car. So comfortable. I test drove a guy's used one that he had modded.

I was only 3-4 months away from purchase, when I bought somethin older & faster. And yes, GM as well.

 

that would have been a sweet car Tom!

I miss my SS, so comfortable, and hauled *** for a big car. Best seats ever!

I also swapped a 97' Z28 LT1 into my 86' IROC -Z, ran damn good.

But i am spoiled by LSx engines, I WONT own anything that doesnt have one anymore!! LOL

OP let us know how it turns out after replacing the cap.

 

It turns out that the coil wire wasn't getting a good connection. It runs fine but it is leaking oil... Is there a gasket or something behind the optispark or something? How do I fix the oil leak?

 

Well the timing cover is behind the optispark IIRC, Can you pin point the leak for us so we can help?