Do you get to the plug wires connected to the Opti-Spark going to the drivers side??? 94 LT1-

It took me ALL morning to do the passenger side (and that looked easy!!) I can probably get the plugs out OK...but the wires route under the AC and ALT then go into SPACE!!! I can't even see where the wires plug into the opti on the drivers side??? Is there a trick I am not familiar with??

I have cut the hell out of myself doing 1 side...can't wait to do the other...but, it ain't a real job until there is blood right?? LOL...

maybe I will wait til the afternoon to do the rest...few beers...blood flows out of cuts much better when it is thinner!

 

If you can get the car in the air, driverside goes on best from underneath.Also pulling the plastic cover off the ASR servo helps with getting to the plugs and wires.

 

I have found the simplest way is to pull the 4 mounting bolts on the AC compressor. Just lay it up out of the way. It opens it all up and makes the job very easy and you don't have to get flat on your back under the car.

 

I got on the forum for the same reason...

I haven't started on it, merely surveying what I need to do...Seems like removing the water pump housing will make life easier to get to the opti on the LHS.

Let me go search on "removing water pumps".

if you did complete the LHS, do respond here. would appreciate if getting to it from the bottom or the "air compressor move-a-side" deal is what you took...

regards
gab

 

Plan on doing it tomorrow morning..finish anyway- as for the RHS, be prepaired! the Opti wires are very easy to get at...but the last plug all the way in the back was a BITCH to get back in...I had to climb on in the engine compartment sitting backwards to get it! GEEESH!

I used Taylor wires 8MM- they didn't fit in the stock looms very well either...so I will have to dress it up after ordering some nicer wire looms???

I am going to try pulling the car on ramps to see if I can get to the LHS Opti wires better...then I will move the AC if I have to! Right now I am half red wires and half stock!!!

 

hah!!!!

I just got done finishing the LHS...The plugs are already in the RHS, just need to complete the wires tomorrow morning. Should be pretty simple from now on since I also removed the hoses going to the water pump (I'm also putting in a new thermostat) and the TB (will also do the TB bypass).

I did get frustrated initially, sat down to have 2 beers, and then went back to tackling the job a different way - That lack of space to get to the wires at the opti-connectors. I did remove the AC compressor bolts and move that aside, but with hindsight I would not be doing that next time (though it did provide somewhat of a better view "DOWN THERE"). However, once you know what's "down there" which is really just the wire separator/anchor, then you can actually see it by looking thru the 3-quarter front view.

I will definitely do the following again for my next plug/wire change:
1) remove 2 easy nuts for the ASR and move the whole unit a side.
2) remove the plug wire holder brackets that are bolted to the side above the plugs.
3) remove the belt.
4) Remove the tensioner pulley. Voila!!! Instant humongous access to all the LHS opti and plug ends.
5) Work a plug wire at a time to push the opti-end into the space under the alternator/compressor, to the opti.

and all this with working from the top. It's really the removal of the tensioner pulley that made all the difference.

Thanks for the tip on the #8 plug. I guess I'll find out for myself tomorrow.

Good luck!!!

 

 

What you are doing right now is how I got started on my project last year. I wrote a tech tip on it entitled Meziere coolant pump install. But for wires install, I moved the ASR, A/C and alt aside and removed the serp belt, power steering pump and tensor pulley assembly (which had to be replaced anyway). This gave me access to what I wanted to see and gave me work space. To enlarge your loom clips for your 8mm wires, I used a 5/16th" cutter in my Dremel tool to ream out the holes. A drill bit didn't seem to cut the plastic clips very well. I used the 8.5 mm wires and the cloverleaf looking loom under the A/C was useless, so I fabricated my own loom that I think works better. I went through almost a keg getting my whole job done. Oh, the best advice I can give you is don't be in a hurry, if you're watching the clock to get it done "in_time" this is not a good project for you.

 

Thanks! I am trying to take my time...the Vert is not my daily driver...I was however trying to avoid pulling everything off to do the wire\plug swap! :-) but I guess to not further injure myself- something's gotta give! I have the beer on ice right now...and I told my wife that the profanity coming from the garage are words of love for those VERY tight spaces!



UPDATE------------------------------------------------------------

I finished- and it was no easy task!!!

As mentioned earlier- I was able to do the RHS without removing anything (unless you count skin on the knuckles)

The LHS- Put the car up on my ramps, I pulled the 4 bolts holding the AC and flipped it up out of the way (note- still can't see the friggin' Opti!) Removed the ASR plastic shield and did one plug\wire at a time...I had to get under the car to get the wires on the opti...if you go far enough under...you can see it..took my time and routed everything correctly...then when those 4 were done- I went to the top and did the one next to the T-Stat (coil I guess??) only saw one up there after removing the MAF and snorkle- my taylor wire set had 1 extra wire in the box?? it had a slghtly bent end on one side and was short...maybe it was for a different year LT1- that or I missed a second coil wire!

I also used the dremel tool to open up the stock looms a bit- so everything went right back together...looks good with red wires now!

Cheers- and have fun!