- Moderator
- #1
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2000
- Messages
- 7,508
- Location
- Edgerton, Ohio, United States
- Corvette
- 1959 black 270hp (9/2/69) 1981 Beige L81(10/20/80)
Well, the original plug wires were not getting the job done any more. Two were bad and I figured that once I got started I might as well finish the job. The valve covers were leaking again also. I put cork on it a few years ago and they were toasty. A set of pre made wires sounded like the right thing to do until I got into the project. Then I found some were way too long. Also, after I got all of the shielding off and tried to pull out the old wires, I found it would be impossible to get them through the motor mounts. They have wire separators in there.:eyerole This was starting to get real fun. We won't even talk about the lost blood and scabs on my arms.This wire set was shelved for my other engine project.
So tonight was my third Sunday evening working on this thing and I finally got things going in the right direction. All eight wires are in and in the looms. The right side valve cover is back on and all of the stuff I had to remove and disconnect on the right side is back together. The only thing I have to do underneath on the left side yet is the plug and wire shields. There isn't nearly as much to take apart on the left side up top as on the right either. Once the valve cover is on and the few remaining things connected I can start on the wire terminals.
The wire set I bought was a Taylor Pro Wire 8mm RFI 70051 set. It has standard and HEI terminals for the distributor end, your choice. Of course I'll use the HEI terminals. This set is longer than stock '81 wires so each can be custom cut to exact length as the originals.
Any good project is wasted unless you use it as an excuse to buy a new tool. I bought a MSD 35051 plug wire crimper. This is a professional grade tool and should give me a beautiful set of terminals. I put on a MSD cap and rotor also. It has real brass terminals instead of the cheap aluminum that OEM caps have. The car should run great.
For the valve covers I bought some Super Seal silicone gaskets from Speedway Motors. They have a stainless shim built in so they can't deform or blow out. They also have sleeves in the bolt holes to prevent them from being over tightened. This should cure the leaking problem for a long time, I hope. Next weekend I should be able to finish it up and then hear and feel a smooth running L81 again.
Tom
So tonight was my third Sunday evening working on this thing and I finally got things going in the right direction. All eight wires are in and in the looms. The right side valve cover is back on and all of the stuff I had to remove and disconnect on the right side is back together. The only thing I have to do underneath on the left side yet is the plug and wire shields. There isn't nearly as much to take apart on the left side up top as on the right either. Once the valve cover is on and the few remaining things connected I can start on the wire terminals.
The wire set I bought was a Taylor Pro Wire 8mm RFI 70051 set. It has standard and HEI terminals for the distributor end, your choice. Of course I'll use the HEI terminals. This set is longer than stock '81 wires so each can be custom cut to exact length as the originals.
Any good project is wasted unless you use it as an excuse to buy a new tool. I bought a MSD 35051 plug wire crimper. This is a professional grade tool and should give me a beautiful set of terminals. I put on a MSD cap and rotor also. It has real brass terminals instead of the cheap aluminum that OEM caps have. The car should run great.
For the valve covers I bought some Super Seal silicone gaskets from Speedway Motors. They have a stainless shim built in so they can't deform or blow out. They also have sleeves in the bolt holes to prevent them from being over tightened. This should cure the leaking problem for a long time, I hope. Next weekend I should be able to finish it up and then hear and feel a smooth running L81 again.
Tom
