[LT1] Changing Spark Plug Wires Sucks
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
[LT1] Changing Spark Plug Wires Sucks
3+ hours just to do the 'easy' passenger side. But I did also pull the plugs and check gap and appearance.
The driver side terrifies me.
I'm stopping for the day, driver side I'm going to need one of those bars you have to use to move the belt tensioner so I can get the belt off.
And FWIW the 8mm Taylor Spiro Pro's do fit the stock wire looms, a bit tight... ...but they fit
The driver side terrifies me.
I'm stopping for the day, driver side I'm going to need one of those bars you have to use to move the belt tensioner so I can get the belt off.
And FWIW the 8mm Taylor Spiro Pro's do fit the stock wire looms, a bit tight... ...but they fit
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 1
From: Green Bay WI
Originally Posted by Lone Ranger
3+ hours just to do the 'easy' passenger side. But I did also pull the plugs and check gap and appearance.
The driver side terrifies me.
I'm stopping for the day, driver side I'm going to need one of those bars you have to use to move the belt tensioner so I can get the belt off.
And FWIW the 8mm Taylor Spiro Pro's do fit the stock wire looms, a bit tight... ...but they fit
The driver side terrifies me.
I'm stopping for the day, driver side I'm going to need one of those bars you have to use to move the belt tensioner so I can get the belt off.
And FWIW the 8mm Taylor Spiro Pro's do fit the stock wire looms, a bit tight... ...but they fit
Take solice in the fact that once you do it the first time, each successive time gets easier...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
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From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Originally Posted by Lone Ranger
I'm stopping for the day, driver side I'm going to need one of those bars you have to use to move the belt tensioner so I can get the belt off.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
You can change the drivers side without pulling the tensioner. Just pull the 4 bolts on the compressor and lay it up by the radiator. There is a 10mm bolts on top of the cross support that holds the A/C hoses in place. Remove it and it will give you enough slack to lay the compressor out of the way. That will open it up enough to get in there and change out the wires.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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Originally Posted by ittlfly
You can change the drivers side without pulling the tensioner. Just pull the 4 bolts on the compressor and lay it up by the radiator. There is a 10mm bolts on top of the cross support that holds the A/C hoses in place. Remove it and it will give you enough slack to lay the compressor out of the way. That will open it up enough to get in there and change out the wires.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I changed my wires when I had the motor out and don't plan on doing it again untill the next time the motors out 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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Originally Posted by mackeyred96
I changed my wires when I had the motor out and don't plan on doing it again untill the next time the motors out
Upon looking at the A/C compressor, moving only it won't work it doesn't seem-- while it exposes where the wires come through between the alternator support bracket the only way to enough room to get the terminal ends of the wires through is to move the power steering pump forward by unbolting it after removing the serp belt. If, that is, the pump will come forward a bit once unbolted-- I assume it will. I can't beleive they didn't spec that that part of the alternator support bracket be ported open enough right there to allow enough clearance for the terminal ends of plug wires to get through w/o having to unbolt stuff and move it to get the space
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Once you get the wires routed below the A/C compressor bracket, raise the car up on jacks. You then can acess the opti from underneath to hook the wires up. I agree it's a little tight, but it beats messing with the P/S pump. By pulling off the tensioner (1 bolt), that too will open up the whole area without screwing with the P/S.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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You can gain a lot of room on the driver's side by removing the inner wheel well. It's only a few bolts and and then you can reach right in there. It makes changing the plugs a breeze, I'm sure it would help with just wires too.
As far as the wires on the opti for the drivers side the only way I've ever found to do that is from the bottom.
As far as the wires on the opti for the drivers side the only way I've ever found to do that is from the bottom.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by Lone Ranger
3+ hours just to do the 'easy' passenger side. But I did also pull the plugs and check gap and appearance.
The driver side terrifies me.
:
The driver side terrifies me.
:
Funny thing the plug on the passenger side I had trouble with finally took about 1 minute to reinstall when I finally figured out how to do it...
Only thing I did was loosen the ASR unit on drivers to get a little more hand room...used combination of normal spark plug socket(3/8 drive), spark plug socket with built on swivel joint(3/8 drive) and combination of rachet, extensions, open & box end wrenches....did everything from top side..
tough part was using the beam torque wrench(3/8 drive) on the reinstall....but finally found a way to get good setting on all but one plug....
wish now I would have documented the best combo for each plug....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
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Originally Posted by LT4BUD
I just did my LT4 for the first time.....Drivers side about 1 hour, passenger side about 2 hours....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Good luck. This is exactly why I am procrastinating with my own plugs/wires. You guys go ahead and change 'em... I'll sit in here (where its warm) and play on the computer. Oh... and I got a nice shiny nickel for whoever wants to change mine for me.... 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Good luck. This is exactly why I am procrastinating with my own wires. You guys go ahead and change 'em... I'll sit in here (where its warm) and play on the computer. Oh... and I got a nice shiny nickel for whoever wants to change mine for me....
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by Lone Ranger
You must mean plugs only. Wires are a pain. I have plugs only, down to 90 minutes total for all eight
Didn't read your post carefully enough..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
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Originally Posted by geeman85
Sure would be nice for one of you experts to write a tech tip for us that have not done it yet.
