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Do you need special plug wire boots to use the original retainer. If so, who makes them?
Only if you want them to lock into the retainer, I loved those things with the factory wires locked in. If you wanted to remove cap you just pulled a few wires and it held them, and when it was time to put back the number was on the wire and the retainer
Accel makes set with the lock tops
It shows the retainer on corvette sites being available for all 80's corvettes. I was on the accel site and did not see the locking boots or any locking boots on the internet. Where are you guys seeing them.
I did find this set on summit but I am not sure they would work, ie are all the plug boots 90 degrees? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...CABEgII1_D_BwE
There are so many sets ranging from $38 - $238. Would be nice to know if any of you guys can tell me what you have used and what fits the looms.
Last edited by johnfin; Jan 24, 2023 at 07:38 AM.
Reason: added info
My base 85's have been replaced. All of the wires are 90's except the one on the passenger side by the oil dipstick tube. I think it is 135. I believe that is the OE setup. Not sure about the retainer but mine doesn't have one and neither did my 85 Z51. I put straight boots on it. Didn't work out as well as I wanted it too but no problems.
HTH,
These pics taken of my Original Owner 1985 are from my files. I took these in 2017 prior to removing the born-with never molested wires prior to replacing them. A couple of them went open-resistance and I had no choice but to replace them. I wanted to document the appearance prior to removal. Nothing had been touched for 32 years prior to these pics.
Un-touched 1985 dist cap and wires. Pic taken in 2017 of a one-owner car. .
The 1103680 is a bit of a surprise for an '85 Build date of your '85?
Are you able to remove the distributor cap (4 bolts) with it in the car. Looks very tight.
Yes but you may have to loosen the distributor and turn it so you can get to the screws or whatever hold the cap on. You will then have to adjust the timing afterwards.
Here's the info you ask me for. You can find this on pages 6E3-104/105 in the FSM.
Here's a not so great picture of the timing connector (that is what the FSM calls it). It's dead center and is taped to the wire cover.
Here's the instructions for setting timing from the FSM (the pages I mentioned).
Here is the connector you disconnect to clear the trouble codes afterwards. It the big one running diagonal, not the one with 20 on it. That's a fusible link I believe.
The emissions label to find out the timing setting is on the drivers side of the radiator, at least that is where mine is. I would disconnect/connect these wires with the key in the off position, I'm 99.9% confident that I've given you the proper info. If not someone will be sure to correct me please.
Learned something new today. I had seen those wire retainers before but figured they were for an aftermarket style cap. It is odd how entirely uncommom they are, especially when it seems many HEI specific plug wire kits come with the right ends on them to use it. I guess that explains why latch is embossed on the factory coil cover, as that is where the retainer clips in.
I just put a pertronix coil and module in my 85, so I figured I might as well get a coil cover to match.
