70 Corvette spark plug wire?
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70 Corvette spark plug wire?
I need to replace the plug wires on my 79 Vette. What's the best way to do this job? I know the wires run through the motor mounts, do you do them one at a time or what? Do I need to remove the mounts? thanks for you help.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
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Re: 70 Corvette spark plug wire? (killain)
I push the distributor end wire boot back. This way the terminal end will fit between the mount and the block. Then just squish the boot to pass through and run it back to the distributor and connect. Good luck
[Modified by dennis, 1:02 PM 8/27/2001]
[Modified by dennis, 1:02 PM 8/27/2001]
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Re: 70 Corvette spark plug wire? (dennis)
OK, so what kind of wires do you use, or should I just jack up the motor? and what does a set of good wires cost and where do I get them?
Safety Car
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From: Mandeville, Louisiana
Re: 70 Corvette spark plug wire? (killain)
I used Accell 8MM wires. They are generic, and you can cut them to length to fit your car. My motor is not stock so originality was not a concern fo mine. I have a blue flex fan, so I used blue wired to match. Looks ok. My engine compartment is very clean, and uncluttered. It has a nice look to it.
Melting Slicks
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Re: 70 Corvette spark plug wire? (killain)
I was lucky. This was one of those "while I'm at it" jobs. I had the car up on ramps and the exhaust removed so it was a lot easier (probably took me, a very slow worker :smash: two or three hours).
I removed all of the shielding and the starter.
I used Accell's 8mm "make your own" wire set and...
Took one wire off at a time.
Cut the new one to length.
Slipped the plug boot over one end.
Put both contacts on each end.
Put the plug end on the and worked the wire back to the distributor (you can get through the motor mount this way without having to jack up the engine or anything like that).
"Slipped" the distributor boot on (took some lubricant & effort).
Connected the distributor end.
Moved onto the next plug 'til the end.
It was a really nice feeling to have the new plugs, wires, cap & rotor installed :D
I hope this helps.
Oh, I forgot to add that it was nice to have the car on ramps because I found it much easier to route the wires being able to work from above and below. Of course, it was easier to remove the starter and the lower shielding from below too.
[Modified by jerryp58, 9:41 PM 8/27/2001]
I removed all of the shielding and the starter.
I used Accell's 8mm "make your own" wire set and...
Took one wire off at a time.
Cut the new one to length.
Slipped the plug boot over one end.
Put both contacts on each end.
Put the plug end on the and worked the wire back to the distributor (you can get through the motor mount this way without having to jack up the engine or anything like that).
"Slipped" the distributor boot on (took some lubricant & effort).
Connected the distributor end.
Moved onto the next plug 'til the end.
It was a really nice feeling to have the new plugs, wires, cap & rotor installed :D
I hope this helps.
Oh, I forgot to add that it was nice to have the car on ramps because I found it much easier to route the wires being able to work from above and below. Of course, it was easier to remove the starter and the lower shielding from below too.
[Modified by jerryp58, 9:41 PM 8/27/2001]
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From: Maryland
Re: 70 Corvette spark plug wire? (jerryp58)
Do them one at a time so you don't get them crossed. No need to remove the mounts. It's a PITA but you can get them through there. Go from block to distributor. I found it easier to get the distrib boot through the mount than the other way around. If your car has lower ignition shielding that will need to be removed. Have fun. 
~Juliet
~Juliet
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Re: 70 Corvette spark plug wire? (Juliet)
Thank you Juliet, Why is it only you seem to know what I need? I was at Carlisle and wanted to look for you, but i was with a ***** named 'Pace Car Patty' and she didn't drop below a fast walk the whole day. Had to beg just to be allowed to go to the little boys room, Wew! Looked for 'The Idiot' but couldn't find his huckster stand, the one where he flices all the novices out of their hard earned cash. I'm looking forward to meeting. Corvettefourm tent was empty? :seeya
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Rochester, NY, USA
Re: 70 Corvette spark plug wire? (killain)
I just did this on my '77. I bought stock AC Delco wires. Thanks to the advice of someone on this forum I did the following: I sprayed the distributor end of the wires with a silicone spray and pulled the boot off the end of the wires. I ran the wires through the motor mounts without a problem and then slid the boots back on.
Hope this helps. The heat shields make it a fun job...
Hope this helps. The heat shields make it a fun job...
Thread Starter
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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Re: 70 Corvette spark plug wire? (Rob_Moyer)
Thanks Rob, now this sounds like a plan, the spray is for removing the boots and then I put them back on one at a time? OK, Now I think I look for a set of wires and I'm all set. Thanks! :smash:
