abueler

Should the OPRV alignment tool fit snug? There seems to be a lot of play in it and I can easily wiggle it around and slip it in and out, and also move the housing around with the alignment tool in place. Thanks

931guru

Make sure you have the right tool for your year car... There are two, one for the 86 and earlier blocks, and one for the 87 and later blocks.

abueler

I do believe it is the right tool. Ordered it from Pelican and said it was correct for my 1984. It is the early style 3 peice OPRV (nut, spring, piston) on my car.


It just seems if it were to align everything that it should fit in snug and not have any play. The only review from someone who purchased it on Pelican states that it "fit in snug". Or is the idea for it to be able to slip in and out easily? Just trying to get some other peoples experience with the tool. Thanks all!

harveyf

I fit an oil cooler on an 87 just last weekend, using the alignment tool. I do not remember any significant slop. But this is different cooler console, etc, than what you have.

I have fit the 3 piece relief valve on 84 vintage engines without the tool and no repercussions. As a check, compare the diameter of the sleeve piece that the spring fits into to the diameter of the comparable location on your tool. There is a chance the tool is undersize. Also fit the sleeve into the block, just to make sure there isn't something off. It should fit into the block snugly.

Not to try and talk you out of using the tool but I have found that the 3 piece assembly is easier to "eyeball" in that you can mount the cooler, insert the sleeve, and check its range of motion just by sticking your finger into it to move it in and out, checking for smooth motion. I think it is more forgiving to alignment issues. The one piece design is pretty much impossible to test for movement after installation.

abueler

HarveyF, Thanks for the insight. When you say "insert the sleeve" is the sleeve you're referring to the piston at the end of the spring of the OPRV? Thanks