Tips for changing plug wires on LT1?
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From: Omaha NE
Tips for changing plug wires on LT1?
Anybody have any tips or tricks on changing the plug wires on a 92 LT1? Looks like a total bitch to get to the opi-spark with all that stuff in the way. My buddy wants to change his on his 92, so maybe that will give me enough practice so I can do it fast on my 95. Thanks guys...
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From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
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Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Got PSI)
I did mine with the motor out. :yesnod:
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From: VA
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Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Glock'94)
Surprised you did not find enough info when you did a search. Plenty of info on past post. No real tricks, just lots of cussing and moaning. :D
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Goody)
Some people even take the alternator off and move the A/C... supposedly makes it a LOT easier to get to the wires that way. I wouldn't doubt it after pulling my engine.
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From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Got PSI)
Removing the AC makes it easier but cussing and moaning are pretty much the rule. You'll probably have to reach under the car to get the wires on and off the opti spark.
Geeze GM, couldn't you have gone to distributor less ignition on the LT1/LT4 engine. Our lives would be so much easier. :mad
Geeze GM, couldn't you have gone to distributor less ignition on the LT1/LT4 engine. Our lives would be so much easier. :mad
Burning Brakes
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From: Orangeburg, NY
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Got PSI)
Take your time and have band aids ready. It is a pain in the a... (knuckles). Have someone help you, raise the car approx. 8". At times it is easier to get to the wires from underneath. Removing the belt,a/c and alternator make the job go quicker.
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From: Frederick MD
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Got PSI)
If you search the archives you can find many threads on this topic...... BUT,
I highly recommend removing the Serp. belt, the AC Compressor, the tensioner pulley, also remove the inner fender skirts to get at the plugs. It takes about 20-30 minutes to remove all the stuff, but you'll make up the time, since you can see the optispark and have a direct shot at it Vs. trying to push the wires on blind with the all the stuff in the way.
I highly recommend removing the Serp. belt, the AC Compressor, the tensioner pulley, also remove the inner fender skirts to get at the plugs. It takes about 20-30 minutes to remove all the stuff, but you'll make up the time, since you can see the optispark and have a direct shot at it Vs. trying to push the wires on blind with the all the stuff in the way.
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From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (tdock)
Passangers side is easy. Only have to remove the wheel well panel above the A-arm.
Driver's side - I did this side from both top and bottom and have to agree its is much easier to do from the top after unbolting lots of things.
1. remove left front wheel
2. remove spash panel over the A-arm (6 bolts- no big deal)
4. remove serpentine belt (use breaker bar to get leverage on tensioner wheel)
5. remove belt tensioner assembly (one bolt-no big deal)
6. unbolt power steering pump and pull towards radiator (3 bolts--no big deal)
After you get all this stuff out of the way, you should be able to visually see all wires going to the optispark. With the a-arm splash panel removed, no need to unbolt the A/C compressor and you can get at all the wires without moving the cruise control box. You have to unbolt the power steering pump to get the wire boots through a narrow slot behind it.
Sounds like a lot of work, but it will take you less time and effort to do it this way than going underneith. Believe me, I tried that way first.
If you go from the bottom, its is difficult to make sure the wires are snapped into place on the optispark.
[Modified by Mez, 11:48 AM 12/26/2001]
Driver's side - I did this side from both top and bottom and have to agree its is much easier to do from the top after unbolting lots of things.
1. remove left front wheel
2. remove spash panel over the A-arm (6 bolts- no big deal)
4. remove serpentine belt (use breaker bar to get leverage on tensioner wheel)
5. remove belt tensioner assembly (one bolt-no big deal)
6. unbolt power steering pump and pull towards radiator (3 bolts--no big deal)
After you get all this stuff out of the way, you should be able to visually see all wires going to the optispark. With the a-arm splash panel removed, no need to unbolt the A/C compressor and you can get at all the wires without moving the cruise control box. You have to unbolt the power steering pump to get the wire boots through a narrow slot behind it.
Sounds like a lot of work, but it will take you less time and effort to do it this way than going underneith. Believe me, I tried that way first.
If you go from the bottom, its is difficult to make sure the wires are snapped into place on the optispark.
[Modified by Mez, 11:48 AM 12/26/2001]
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From: Omaha NE
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Mez)
Sounds like a fun day ahead of me whenever we get around to doing it :rolleyes:
Thanks for all the tips....and yes I did do a search and didn't come up with a whole lot of info :p:
Thanks for all the tips....and yes I did do a search and didn't come up with a whole lot of info :p:
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From: Houston, TX
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Got PSI)
I can't be the only one that does not think it is that bad without removing ANYTHING???? Passenger side is easy. Get the driver side opti from undernedth the car.
It really is not difficult at all. Just a little time consuming. :)
Good Luck,
It really is not difficult at all. Just a little time consuming. :)
Good Luck,
Safety Car
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From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Chris@SpeedDemon)
Chris,
Congratulations for going at it from the bottom (almost sounds dirty). I had trouble doing that way because it was difficult to make sure the boots were snapped into place because of the lack of leverage and I had to feel my way around. Reaching thru the small space between the pan and cross member is hard on the hands, too. Getting the wires and boots out from behind the PS pump when in place is somewhat difficult.
I suppose since you have a lot of experience at doing them, you have the nack now.
Congratulations for going at it from the bottom (almost sounds dirty). I had trouble doing that way because it was difficult to make sure the boots were snapped into place because of the lack of leverage and I had to feel my way around. Reaching thru the small space between the pan and cross member is hard on the hands, too. Getting the wires and boots out from behind the PS pump when in place is somewhat difficult.
I suppose since you have a lot of experience at doing them, you have the nack now.
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From: VA
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Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Chris@SpeedDemon)
I can't be the only one that does not think it is that bad without removing ANYTHING???? Passenger side is easy. Get the driver side opti from undernedth the car.
It really is not difficult at all. Just a little time consuming. :)
Good Luck,
It really is not difficult at all. Just a little time consuming. :)
Good Luck,
:D
For someone that has never done it before this is a nightmare especially if they don't have experience working on cars.
Like anything else, the more you do it, the easier it gets.
:cheers:
Safety Car
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From: Houston, TX
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (92TripleBlack)
Probably a little easier with a lift instead of jack stands also. :cheers:
Seriously though, there seems to me a lot of room to go from the bottom on the driver side. I do NOT have small forearms and I really don't have a problem. The trick to doing it with jackstands is to find what direction to lay on the ground to allow your hand to extend up to the opti. :)
Good Luck,
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Chris@SpeedDemon)
I do NOT have small forearms...
Seriously though, I find it easy to go from underneath too and the only thing I remove is the ASR on the drivers side simply because it makes it so much easier.
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From: Houston, TX
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Vette92)
I do NOT have small forearms...
You know what they say about large forearms and empty Klenix boxes...:p:
You know what they say about large forearms and empty Klenix boxes...:p:
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From: Salt Lake City utah
Re: Tips for changing plug wires on LT1? (Got PSI)
I did all of the above plus the damper pully. Seems like a hassel but it worked great for me because I am a worry wort and I wanted to be sure.
