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I just bought a set of Accel plug wires for my '76, stock motor & manifolds. The wires are for 74-84 chevy small block, under manifold.
When I ran one of the longest wires to the front left plug its way too long. Unfortunately the previous owner ran the same lenght wires outside the manifold and cable-tied them to alternator wires, A/c Hoses, vacuum lines etc., so I have no point of reference. I know a lot of guys have 4 wires going left at the dizzy and 4 going right instead of crossing each other at the cap, maybe thats why they are so long?
Hmmm. 74s had the points type distributor; 75 and up had HEI. Plugs wires are different. Your replacement HEI set should not include 74.
Do you have the assembly instruction manual (AIM)? The AIM has a couple of diagrams of wire routing and cylinder designation on the cap. It's helpful. If memory serves, there is also an assembly note concerning specific routing for a couple of the wires.
I have found that all the afetrmarket wire sets are to long as they are made to fit many apps. Here is the length they are suppose to be for point dizzy.
This is 75' routing but should be same as your 74' except for the HEI dizzy.
Gary
Couple pix of my 71'
Last edited by Duke94; Aug 13, 2010 at 11:36 AM.
Reason: Added photos
For a DD, is it a no-no to tastefully route the wires per every other car on the road: over the top of the valve covers???
Do what makes you happy. There is no "Corvette spark-plug-wire-routing" police. I ran mine behind the heads and over the top of the header tubes using Moroso looms and cut-to-length wires.
Do what makes you happy. There is no "Corvette spark-plug-wire-routing" police. I ran mine behind the heads and over the top of the header tubes using Moroso looms and cut-to-length wires.
I like them going over the top like this. Have done on my 82. But it has air tubes on the headers, so cannot use the standoff's. But the air tubes do serve as a nice holder/guide for routing the wires
I've cut many wire sets for points dist and I have never made #1 as long as #2 and #3.
I've installed many HEI sets and I have never seen #1 cut as long as #2 and #3.
Now we're getting somewhere. I guess those elbows attached to the motor mounts (looking at Duke's '71 pics) are the ignition shield brackets. 1&3, and 2&4 go through those. That should take up some of the slack.
The set came with 4 different lenghts, 2 of each, so its not a perfect fit. I should be able to get 'r done now.
Back when I still had the small block, here is how I ran the plug wires....these were just universal SB Pertronix wires..
Looks like stock....even with headers...
Then when I switched to big block, I did them the same way eventhough stock big block wires run over the valve cover, I just like them a lot better running behind the head and under the headers....a lot cleaner without wires running all over and some cheesy *** looms/holders...