1977 plug wires re located
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
1977 plug wires re located
OK i just purchased my 1st vett.. 1977 L48 auto.. Im getting ready to change the Origanal plugs and wires.. 49401 miles. and wow the wires go way under the motor to connected to the oil pan.. Can i relocate the wires to make it easier to change for the next guy?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
What style exhaust manifolds are on your car? Most likely Ram Horn style. THe plug wires go under and clip to the motor mounts to keep them off the hot pipes. It sort of limits your options.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Yeah they are stock manifolds. And while i was under there. I noticed that the plugs and wires are orig....49401 miles on car.. the wires are 30 years old and i want to put new ones on.. maybe get an extra mile per gal.. =)
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Superior Wisconsin
I said the heck with following the stock way the wires go it would seem that the wires would get pinched at the motor mount so I went and ran the front wires over the top and used zip ties so nothing would be touching the manifold also used some looms from a old Impala so it looks better.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Yeah it sure is a pain to get to these wires. You almost have to own a lift to do the job yourself.. Im going to try yto put it up on my ramps and see if i can get to it that way.. Sure a long way to go for some wires.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Colusa Ca
Just did mine today. 77 vette. I put on a crossfire cap and changed plugs wire and rotor, The wires were a real pain but Its worth it, The back two plugs on each side come out from under the car. If you have the time it looks much better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
... with those that recommend using the original routing. It is surely a pain, but if you route them as original, particularly with the stock manifolds, you will almost never experience a burned wire.The use of a lift will certainly help, but having the car up on ramps or jack-stands works also. I've done it a number of times lying on a comfortable creeper.
I like to remove as much of the shielding as possible just to get it out of the way. It will give you a better view of the plug-wire routing and offers an opportunity to clean it as it can get quite dirty.One of the tricks I use with the wires is to lay out the new ones and start with them one at a time, usually the longest one, by gently removing the distributor boot. (Spray a bit of silicone into the boot and they will come off pretty easily.) Without the boots, they will fit through all of the tight spots much easier. I've also bought the "universal" sets for the 350, without the distributor ends attached. This makes routing the wires even easier and then just attach the distributor ends/boots when you reach the distributor.
After you've done this a few times you'll probably find it isn't as challenging a task as it first seems. Don't rush and you'll be pleased with the results.
Good luck... GUSTO
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski