Spark plug wire replacement on 76
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
Spark plug wire replacement on 76
I am in the process of replacing the plugs and wires on my 76. I started on the passenger side and was wondering if anyone out there has any advice on how to replace the wires for the front 2 plugs. They run through a shield behind the starter and then through the motor mount.
I haven't looked at the drivers side from under the car yet but it looks a little easier. Are there going to be any suprises on that side?
Thanks
I haven't looked at the drivers side from under the car yet but it looks a little easier. Are there going to be any suprises on that side?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Use some WD-40 and take the boots off and attach to old plug wires and pull slowly and push the new ones-if the new ones slide against a sharp edge it will slice them.EDIT-push more than you pull.
Last edited by ...Roger...; Sep 23, 2006 at 08:15 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Originally Posted by DWncchs
Use some WD-40 and take the boots off and attach to old plug wires and pull slowly and push the new ones-if the new ones slide against a sharp edge it will slice them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Originally Posted by DWncchs
Use some WD-40 and take the boots off and attach to old plug wires and pull slowly and push the new ones-if the new ones slide against a sharp edge it will slice them.
Luckily I was able to change plugs and wires in my '78 while the motor was out so it was easy, but I just had to change ignition wires on my '65 with the motor in and the easiest way is to remove the plug boots, tape them to the the end of the cooresponding wire it is replacing and carefully feed the new wire thru as you are pulling the old wire out. As mentioned, WD40 will help it slide thru easier. Do each wire this way. After the first wire you will get the hang of it and in the end you will find it actually ends up going quicker than you imagine it was going to take you. Also as mentioned, those shields have sharp edges so just be careful as the new wires can get sliced easily if you aren't paying attention.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by mkflanagan
?????????Replacing plug wires???It's not that complex...call me an *** but if you need that much help then maybe you should take it to a shop.
just kidden-the 4 frt. ones can be a little tricky if its his first time--remember your first time?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
i sure remember my first time doing it with the motor still in and all the accessories installed. if you have never done it before, looking at the job it can be a bit intimidating, especially when you realize those front 2 cylinder wires on each side go thru the motor mounts.
Once you do it you realize it's not that bad, but for a first timer I can certainly understand asking the question as he did.
Even after having done it I still never look forward to future times of having to do it again.
Once you do it you realize it's not that bad, but for a first timer I can certainly understand asking the question as he did.
Even after having done it I still never look forward to future times of having to do it again.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
I was thinking of replacing and bringing the new ones down off the valve covers and in to the plugs between the header tubes....I think I've seen a pic of it before and it looked pretty nice the way the guy did it....any thoughts on that? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2
From: McDonough Georgia
Originally Posted by DWncchs
*** just kidden-the 4 frt. ones can be a little tricky if its his first time--remember your first time?
just kidden-the 4 frt. ones can be a little tricky if its his first time--remember your first time?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Originally Posted by kb2fzq
I was thinking of replacing and bringing the new ones down off the valve covers and in to the plugs between the header tubes....I think I've seen a pic of it before and it looked pretty nice the way the guy did it....any thoughts on that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Originally Posted by bluthundr
Does anyone have a picture of how the wires were routed stock?
Gary
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
You will find lots of bubba'd Vettes with plug wires looking more like spaghetti all over the top of the engine, and of course, most if not all ignition shielding removed, all as a result of the frustration and cuts obtained in just trying to do a quick plug wire replacement. Big blocks are definitely easier. There are also some very nice aftermarket plug wire looms for putting the wires up top, if you are not concerned with originality but want to keep the engine compartment neat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Joseph,
You are experiencing the reason so many people end up routing the wires over the top of their valve covers. I personally think they look better routed in the factory manner and have never had a plug wire burned or fail as a result of doing it this way.
I like to get the universal sets from GM that come without the distributor ends installed. This makes routing them through the looms and shielding that much easier. If you have factory style with the ends already installed, you can sometimes remove them, by spraying them liberally inside with silicone and gently slipping them off. I also remove the V-shields on the side of the block while installing the wires which makes routing the front wires behind the motor mount a lot easier. I do the wires one-at-a-time and put a small piece of masking tape on each wire with it's number before routing just in case I lose track of which one it is. Reinstalling the distributor end boots is pretty easy by using silicone and being gentle.
Good luck... it's a tedious job, but the results are worth it.
GUSTO
You are experiencing the reason so many people end up routing the wires over the top of their valve covers. I personally think they look better routed in the factory manner and have never had a plug wire burned or fail as a result of doing it this way.
I like to get the universal sets from GM that come without the distributor ends installed. This makes routing them through the looms and shielding that much easier. If you have factory style with the ends already installed, you can sometimes remove them, by spraying them liberally inside with silicone and gently slipping them off. I also remove the V-shields on the side of the block while installing the wires which makes routing the front wires behind the motor mount a lot easier. I do the wires one-at-a-time and put a small piece of masking tape on each wire with it's number before routing just in case I lose track of which one it is. Reinstalling the distributor end boots is pretty easy by using silicone and being gentle.
Good luck... it's a tedious job, but the results are worth it.
GUSTO
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
I just wish mine would have had the shields on it when I bought it
The wires are over the valve covers and yes I think a stock routing looks better, especially if you have the stock exhaust manifolds. Oh well, another project at a later time.
The wires are over the valve covers and yes I think a stock routing looks better, especially if you have the stock exhaust manifolds. Oh well, another project at a later time.
