Plug Wires And Engine Mounts

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Mar 19, 2011 | 04:06 PM

ted13b

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 281

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From: Holbrook MA

Plug Wires And Engine Mounts

I'm doing the plug wires on my newly acquired 77. The old wires were threaded thru the motor mounts. The new wires don't seem to fit, is it necessary to unbolt the mounts and jack up the engine, or is there a trick that I'm missing? Also, the number 1 wire seems to long, is there a special way to run it? Thanks in advance!

Last edited by ted13b; Mar 19, 2011 at 04:22 PM.

Mar 19, 2011 | 04:55 PM

birdsmith

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 3,428

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From: Japan

I'm sure there's an NCRS type who will give you a more educated answer on this one, but on my '70 I ran into the same problem- at least a couple wires were WAY long and a couple also had to be routed between the motor mounts and the block...probably why so many people can't resist the temptation to ditch all the shielding and route the wires over the valve covers. I think if you're gonna do them correctly the best way would be to originate the wire at the plug and then re-terminate them at the distributor with a proper splice tool so that the lengths are exactly what you need...

Mar 19, 2011 | 07:30 PM

Alan 71

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From: Westminster Maryland

Hi Ted,
Depending on what type of wires you've purchased, you may find it easier to feed the distributor end of the wires through the motor mounts since they're smaller than the spark-plug end.
Originally there was a plug-wire clip on one of the oil-pan bolts that holds the wire quite low and away from the exhaust manifold. If that clips not there you may be seeing the extra wire length.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Mar 20, 2011 | 12:03 PM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

It's factory. 1, 3, 2, and 4 wires were trapped under the engine mounts. PITA, but correct. You can cheat them as Alan suggests.

Mar 21, 2011 | 01:22 AM

Capt. Shark

Team Owner

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From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN

St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25

I did this on my 79 couple years ago. Bought the correct set of Packard wires from Corvette Central. Came with a diagram showing where each length wire goes. It was a PITA, but not a huge one. I taped the new and old wires together and pulled each one that way. Seems to me I cut the plug boot off the old wire and removed the boot at the dist. end on the new wire and pulled from engine to dist. then reattached the boot. Near as I could tell, they were original. New wires made a big difference. Couldn't get them back in the looms and closed back at all, though. Finally gave up on that and just left them running through without closing.

It's really not that hard to do. Just is tedious and takes a while

Mar 21, 2011 | 01:33 AM

ptroxx

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2007

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From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.

I slipped my boot off and feed it thru the motor mount and then slid the boot back on.. was easy..

Mar 21, 2011 | 07:54 AM

thegazman

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Lewisburg WV

thegazman

The easy way is to buy a set of universal wires that you cut and install the distributor boots yourself. Feed the wires under the motor mounts, run to the distributor, cut to correct length, and install distributor boot.