How To / Steps to Replace C3 Spark Plug Wires

[David C.]

I have electrical leakage from the original spark plug wires on my 1973 L82 small block (observed in a darkened garage), as well as from the original coil terminals. Since I need to replace the spark plug wires (and coil), I am looking for a step-by-step guide on how to do this. It actually looks like a very involved job, what with routing wires through motor mounts, through brackets, access difficulties, etc.

Can anyone point me to a good step-by-step procedure to help make the job go smoothly?

Also, are the precut/finished wires the best way to go? I do want authenticity, as the car is quite original, but am wondering if this makes the job more difficult.

Really appreciate the advice.

Dave

[Alan S.]

[Patrick H.]

Re: How To / Steps to Replace C3 Spark Plug Wires

To add to Alan's comments, if you do remove the "boomerang" shields it is easier, especially if the car is on a lift.
With the car on a lift, one person below and one above, my son and I can swap out a set relatively quickly.

I always use blue masking tape on each end of the wire with the plug wire number prominently written with black Sharpie so I know which wire is which. There are usually directions saying which length is for which plug, and that will help. You still need to do them one at a time to avoid mixing it all up.

[Don L.]

Re: How To / Steps to Replace C3 Spark Plug Wires

Adding you what Alan and Patrick have offered, I found great success in using a strong, but lightweight braided nylon string to pull the new wire through the lower shields. Using the string just as you would a fish wire, I attached the string to the old wire, pulled it out, then attached the new Wire to the other end of the string, pulling it through. With Jeff Salz working from under the car and me on a ladder from above (car was on my lift for this work), we were able to do this job without complication. I removed the boots from the old wires on the distributor end before pulling them (I think. It's been 7 or 8 years).

[Loren L.]

Re: How To / Steps to Replace C3 Spark Plug Wires

What's the Shop Manual say?

[Alan S.]

Re: How To / Steps to Replace C3 Spark Plug Wires

Hi Loren,
1971 Chassis Service Manual
"6Y-32 Installation of Spark Plug Wires.
No.1 spark plug wire is installed in the first distributor cap tower after the adjusting window, moving in the direction of rotation (V-8), or in the foremost tower (L-6). The other wires are then installed in a clockwise direction according to the firing order (figs.22i and 23i)."
A generic sb engine and routing are shown in fig. 22i.
Regards,
Alan

[David C.]

Re: How To / Steps to Replace C3 Spark Plug Wires

Thank you all!
I plan to replace the wires ne

[David C.]

Re: How To / Steps to Replace C3 Spark Plug Wires

...next weekend.