OPDA installation troubles

[tx-skydiver]

Hey y'all. New here and glad to have found this site. I'm replacing my OPDA with a Crown unit (but keeping my sensor). I've watched many videos on replacing it and followed directions to a T.but having two issues:

1. I have noticed that when I installed the new unit, the pin location shifted about "1 hour" clockwise, but see no way of adjusting back since the shaft can only go in one way or 180 degrees the opposite. Any idea what I may have done wrong here?
2. The hold-down bracket is virtually impossible to get re-installed without it dropping down beneath motor mount or on the ground under Jeep. My fat hands cannot seem to get it. Any tricks to make a fat-handed dude get this positioned?

Thanks in advance

 

[JKP]

If you are talking about the whole OPDA rotating as you put it in, you have to rotate the oil pump with a large screwdriver before inserting the OPDA to get it install back to the original position. However, the OPDA position does not matter as long as the tone wheel is pinned to the housing when you put it in with the engine at TDC on 1 unless the wires won't reach. Look down in the engine and use a long screwdriver to turn the oil pump to 11 oclock or so IIRC and it should drop in at the original orientation.

As far as the hold down, it's just a PITA. Got a friend with smaller hands?

 

[OldBuzzard]

My OPDA went in one tooth clockwise from where the old one came out, but like JKP said, as long as the pin keeps the rotor aligned with the housing, it doesn't matter. There is a little slop in the oil pump slot, so I didn't have to rotate the oil pump to align it. Sounds like you got yours down into place already.

I slid the hold down clamp around with one finger, and then used a "grabber" aka "pick up tool" to get the bolt started into the hole.

 

[Zorba]

What helped in my case with that darn mounting bracket was to remove the oil filter. Put it back when done!

 

[tx-skydiver]

If you are talking about the whole OPDA rotating as you put it in, you have to rotate the oil pump with a large screwdriver before inserting the OPDA to get it install back to the original position. However, the OPDA position does not matter as long as the tone wheel is pinned to the housing when you put it in with the engine at TDC on 1 unless the wires won't reach. Look down in the engine and use a long screwdriver to turn the oil pump to 11 oclock or so IIRC and it should drop in at the original orientation.

As far as the hold down, it's just a PITA. Got a friend with smaller hands?

Thank you for the reply. Ok. Was hoping there was a simple trick that I could implement. I'll keep fighting it.

 

[tx-skydiver]

What helped in my case with that darn mounting bracket was to remove the oil filter. Put it back when done!

The oil filter is on the opposite side so it doesn't seem to be getting in the way. Its the casting on the block that seems to be in the way. I leaves very little room for fingers.

 

[tx-skydiver]

My OPDA went in one tooth clockwise from where the old one came out, but like JKP said, as long as the pin keeps the rotor aligned with the housing, it doesn't matter. There is a little slop in the oil pump slot, so I didn't have to rotate the oil pump to align it. Sounds like you got yours down into place already.

I slid the hold down clamp around with one finger, and then used a "grabber" aka "pick up tool" to get the bolt started into the hole.

View attachment 416763

Thanks. I thought about this...and have one of these. I just have no idea where it is. I'll find it AFTER I get the job done. LOL.

 

[Zorba]

The oil filter is on the opposite side so it doesn't seem to be getting in the way. Its the casting on the block that seems to be in the way. I leaves very little room for fingers.

In my case, I was able to use my left hand to help position the thing - reaching across and underneath so to speak...

 

[tx-skydiver]

In my case, I was able to use my left hand to help position the thing - reaching across and underneath so to speak...

Gotcha. I'll give that a go.

 

[Zorba]

Gotcha. I'll give that a go.

Good luck - it *is* a PITA. Don't do what I did and bust the plastic locating pin!

 

[OldBuzzard]

You might try reaching up from underneath. I don't know if you can reach it there, but at least your wrists will be going a different direction.

 

[CharlesHS]

In my case, I was able to use my left hand to help position the thing - reaching across and underneath so to speak...

I could be mistaken, but in your description above are positioning yourself for another course of action..... ?

 

[TRevs]

This may not help you get the bolt started, but this is how i torqued it down:

 

[elkivory]

Did you get it completed? If so how is it running?

 

[Zorba]

This may not help you get the bolt started, but this is how i torqued it down:

View attachment 417145

This picture shows EXACTLY why removing the oil filter helps.

 

[tx-skydiver]

Did you get it completed? If so how is it running?

Not yet. Going to try again tomorrow. No time today.

 

[tx-skydiver]

This may not help you get the bolt started, but this is how i torqued it down:

View attachment 417145

I have no issues with this part. Its getting my chubby hand down there to position and get bolt started is where I am having the most trouble.

 

[Link]

A distributor bolt hold down tool makes the job a lot easier. Not required but easier.

 

[tx-skydiver]

A distributor bolt hold down tool makes the job a lot easier. Not required but easier.

If I can get the bolt inserted and started I am good. I just cant get that far without dropping the hold-down. I have a tool for tightening the bolt.

 

[tx-skydiver]

OK! I got the bracket installed and tightened down. I was able to get my other hand down there and use a finger to hold bracket in place while I got bolt started.

New issue is the Jeep won't start. It wants to but wont. Is this as simple as just an adjustment in the clocking of the unit or am I a tooth off?