changing plug wires.. ramps?
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
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From: near Madison, WI (Brooklyn, wi)
changing plug wires.. ramps?
simple math I guess but I went to change plug wires and after unhooking them on one side realized no way can I get number 1 and 3 wire out without being under car. so back on they went and tomorrow will put front up on ramps. first I need to buy couple rubber rugs to put under ramps as I recall last time they wanted to scoot forward.
Last edited by stingraygene; Mar 20, 2020 at 08:18 PM.
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I have replaced my wires a couple times now in the 30 plus years I've owned my 77. Wires number 1 and 3. And on the other side 2 and 4 go through the motor mounts. And there are holding clips right in that space. Also the 4 front wires go through the boomerang shaped covers on the side of the block. Be prepared to pull the starter to get the wires through on the right side. Be prepared to unbolt the motor mounts (one at a time) and jack up that side of the engine to gain clearance to get the boots of the wires through without destroying the clips that hold the wires.
yes you will need ramps and or jack stands. Believe it or not, it's a fairly big job if you want it correct.
also look at the square 4 wire rubber holders at the upper shielding bracket inches from the distributor. Then down underneath, at about oil pan gasket level, the rubber straight inline wire holder. These are often shot or missing. Have a look at them before you start. Make certain all your heat shields are in place. One missing heat shield will burn plug boots for certain.
mostly, have fun!
yes you will need ramps and or jack stands. Believe it or not, it's a fairly big job if you want it correct.
also look at the square 4 wire rubber holders at the upper shielding bracket inches from the distributor. Then down underneath, at about oil pan gasket level, the rubber straight inline wire holder. These are often shot or missing. Have a look at them before you start. Make certain all your heat shields are in place. One missing heat shield will burn plug boots for certain.
mostly, have fun!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Pawleys Island, SC
Everything 4-vettes said above. This job will occupy you for hours if not days. Some of those shields are a bear to get on and off. Forget the ramps, 4 jack stands and front tires off. It can be done without pulling the starter. Got to disagree somewhat with stingr69 though, you can't pull the wires through the clips in the motor mounts with even the metal terminal on the wire. It doesn't fit through. Only if your new wires don't have terminals on them yet.
Last edited by revitup; Mar 21, 2020 at 11:13 AM.
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I would suppose it would depend on the starter your running. I have the factory starter, mount bracket and heat shield. Boomerang cover on right hand side shares a mounting bolt with support bracket and is pinched behind end of starter motor. I just changed out my wires again just a couple months ago. Believe me I tried getting them through with the starter in place. And that 4 way inline rubber wire holder, just try to get all the wires clipped in place and the rubber slid back into the bracket with the starter in place. Just saying.
Le Mans Master
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From: Little Rock AR
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From: near Madison, WI (Brooklyn, wi)
Ok.. OP here. after these responses here is my course of action (1) when the weather is in the 50-60s on regular basis.. I will pull car out of garage to a area off to side of garage and put it up on jack stands (on plywood as is ground) all four corners and power wash all of the undercarriage concentrating on front half mostly. (2) proceed to install factory hitch on my new Durango while vette drys day or two. (3) take vette back down and raise it the same but in the garage then take my time installing new wires in factory position as well as taking starter off and once done with wires replace it with new one. Had issues with it or something in starting when first got car anyway. seems better now. I also got new c3 plugs / cap/ rotor to go on after wires. bought a nice used snap-on timing light for $60 and am still watching for used dwell.
