What is missing from my engine?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 158
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
What is missing from my engine?
I took my new vette to my buddy's house today and he said it should have something over the distributor cap that is missing. I have a 79 L82 4 speed. He had a 80 L82 but traded it in recently on a C5. He can't remember exactly what it is, but said it looks like something is missing there. Can anybody help?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 10
From: Big Pine Key FL
Actually there is someting missing... it is a plastic ring that snaps to the top of the coil cover and the tabs at the top of all the spark plug boots push into. This was OEM on the big "coil in cap" HEI units. It also help hold the sparkplug wires on in severe duty use.
PS Vettkeeper beat me to it...
Last edited by 84rzv500r; Dec 29, 2006 at 08:01 PM. Reason: Vettkeeper
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
You need to get the Accel Super HEI coil, it replaces the stock GM HEI coil and it acts as spark plug wire retainer.
See pics on my webpage.
Looks like you are also missing the radiator seals that sit above the radiator support bracket.
See pics on my webpage.
Looks like you are also missing the radiator seals that sit above the radiator support bracket.
Last edited by DMONSVETTE; Dec 29, 2006 at 08:29 PM. Reason: Added pic
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Verdad Gallardo
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
You're missing the spark plug wire harness retainer that clips into the top of your distributor (available from Mid America), and you're missing the big black plastic distributor cover/wire cover that was used on your year Vette (it was not chrome on the HEI cars). Your distributor is also installed one tooth off, which gives it the "crooked" look: When it's installed correctly, the coil will be "square" in the engine compartment with the engine correctly timed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
You're missing the spark plug wire harness retainer that clips into the top of your distributor (available from Mid America), and you're missing the big black plastic distributor cover/wire cover that was used on your year Vette (it was not chrome on the HEI cars). Your distributor is also installed one tooth off, which gives it the "crooked" look: When it's installed correctly, the coil will be "square" in the engine compartment with the engine correctly timed.
with Lars. Doesn't hurt anything except the curious.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
missing the **mn AIR pump - smog stuff
I took my new vette to my buddy's house today and he said it should have something over the distributor cap that is missing. I have a 79 L82 4 speed. He had a 80 L82 but traded it in recently on a C5. He can't remember exactly what it is, but said it looks like something is missing there. Can anybody help?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
Corvettes had a cover over the distributor / coil to cut down on interference with the radio since the body was made of fiberglass instead of metal. It is not cosmetic. SB engines also had covers over the plug wires from the distributor to the plugs. BB engines used plug wires with braided wire around them and grounded to engine.
Modern plugs and plug wires don't interfere with modern radios near as much so you can get by without the cover. I think it does look nicer with it.
Modern plugs and plug wires don't interfere with modern radios near as much so you can get by without the cover. I think it does look nicer with it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
That's a good shot of a stock setup showing the black plastic distributor shield. It also shows the power brake booster vacuum line filter that TwinTirbo referred to in his comment above. Good post!
Lars
Lars
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
Likes: 6
From: Burlington wisconsin
Awe, it was nuttin.
I just happened to be looking at this site right before I came on here and read the thread.
Lars, all done snowboarding tonight?
Jimbo
