Is it my imagination, or do you have to jack the engine up and remove the motor mounts from the block to thread the 1,3,2,4 ignition wires between the block and mounts? If that's what it takes - so be it, but if there's an easier way to do it, I'd love to know. Thanks, Steve
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Re: 77 ignition wires
I have never done plug wires on a Vette with HEI, but a buddy of mine replaced the wires on his 80. He took the rubber boot off the end of the wire, threaded it through the mount, slid the boot back on, and installed it to the plug. I did the wires on my 72 SB, and I was able to simply push the wire with the boot attached, right through the mounts. I would imagine there would be enough room even with the HEI wires to do it this way. I'm sure the wires are tough enough to take a little abuse going through this small opening without damage.
George -
Re: 77 ignition wires
George, Thanks for the response. I really hate to pull the boots off the wires, so maybe I'll try using a wooden dowel or something softer than a screwdriver to press the boot through the slot. It looks like the starter has to come out too. I think my Corvettes are the only cars I'd go through this for! SteveComment
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Re: 77 ignition wires
Well, to tell you the truth, I had to loosen the starter on my car, and I loosened the bolts that hold the lower V-shields to the block in order to get the wires through that part of the shielding. If I remember right, the drivers side was easier than the pass side.
GeorgeComment
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Re: 77 ignition wires
I made a dozen Cosworth Vega spark plug/coil wire sets that probably use the same 8mm light gray wire as your '77 I bought a 100 foot reel of the wire and terminals from Delco. Since the proper boots were not longer available, I just cut the wires to length, crimped on the terminals, and provided instructions for removing the boots from the old wires and installing them of the new wires.
Lift the boot off the wire enough in a couple of places to get the plastic straw on a can of silicone spray lube between them and give it a shot. Then shoot some in from the end and start twisting lightly until the boot is free and slide it off. It's not that hard.
I also recommend that you use a thin film of silicone dielectric grease on the inside of the boots. This will help prevent them from seized to the cap terminals and spark plugs and also seal out moisture.
DukeComment
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Re: 77 ignition wires
I've done mine several times. If you remove the spark plug boots (spray a little silicone spray on them first), threading them through the V-shields and motor mount is easy. Then reinstall the boots.Comment
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Re: 77 ignition wires
Duke, Thanks for the guidance. I guess pulling off the boots isn't as big an issue as I thought. SteveComment
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Thanks Larry! *NM*
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Re: Thanks Larry!
When I pulled my boots off I used a little dish soap to put them back on. They threaded through the block nicely and when I washed up after it was all clean and there was no oil on the wires. Just be careful when you pull the boot off. Turn it gently first to break it free, then pull.
BillComment
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