1977 Spark Plug wire removal/installation

[Chris1977]

hi vette heads,

maybe I have been working on the car too long today and i am just delerious or maybe i am too use to ease of working on my 64 Impala and its vast engine compartment.

My question is this. Why are the spark plugs closest to the radiator(above the A-Arms) so diffiucult to get out. I have removed 3 different heat shields and still cannot get the damn wires out. It looks like the two plug wires actually go through the part of the engine mount.

what is my problem, does anyone have any pointers on removal installation. something that i though would take an hour is taking me 3+ and i have only changed 4 wires...

thanks for the help.

Chris

[Joe L.]

Re: 1977 Spark Plug wire removal/installation

Chris-----

You've diagnosed it correctly; the 2 forwardmost sparkplug wires on each side go between the motor mount and the block. That's whay they are so hard to replace. I've solved this problem for my 1969; I'm temporarily converting it to a big block. Replacing spark plug wires on a big block is very easy.

[Chris1977]

Re: 1977 Spark Plug wire removal/installation

I was not hallucinating and yes, they go right through the motor mount. I hate to do it half assed but I am just going to go above the A arm and secure them within the shield. It also looks like the two front wires on the passenger side actually are supposed to be routed up around the starter then through the motor mount- Even more of a headache. I cant wait to see the drivers side...

if anyone thinks this is an extremely BAD idea AND DANGEROUS please let me know. I dont see how its going to be that big of problem outside of being outside of factory built specs.

Thanks,

Chris

[Bob R.]

Re: 1977 Spark Plug wire removal/installation

It will probably work fine the way you are going to do it. The driver side is easier. With out the heater hose getting in the way there is more room to work. The front 2 wires still go through the engine mount.
Its not that often that the wires need to be changed so I took the required time and installed it correctly.

[Mike McKown]

Re: 1977 Spark Plug wire removal/installation

If you want to run the front two wires between the block and mount as original, pull the distributor cap boots off the wire, shove it through the gap between the mount and block and finish the routing.

Whatever you do, keep them securely away from the manifolds.

Vetteheads is a registered trademark.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 1977 Spark Plug wire removal/installation

I have replaced many sets of wires on my '69 over the past 35 years by pulling off the boot from the wires, pushing a stiff piece of wire through the ignition shielding and motor mount, attaching it to the sparpkplug wire and pulling it through. Works every time.
Jeff