Ugh! All That Work and Still Can't Reach Wires!

[Donne Trav]

After almost 2 full days, 3 trips to Sears (9+ miles each way), dealing
with a stripped AC bolt head, removing ASR, MAF, belt, finally AC, both
the idler & tensioner pulleys, inner fender lining and driver-side wheel,
I am still unable to get enough grip on the driver-side wires—beginning at the top—entering the Opti.,ad There's a hose or some kind of conduit that runs seems like from the water pump to wherever. Also, the large pulley in dead center of the engine. Is removing these 2 nuisance items necessary? If so, how is this large pulley removed? Please, what should I do at this point? I've come to far to have it taken to the dealership.
Thanks

 

[toptechx6]

Raise the car, support it with jack stands, get underneath and look forward from the oil pan location, the wires on the left side of the opti can be removed & replaced from the bottom.

 

[Donne Trav]

Raise the car, support it with jack stands, get underneath and look forward from the oil pan location, the wires on the left side of the opti can be removed & replaced from the bottom.

I first tried it from under the car — but nothing had been removed. I'll
try it again. Thanks A Heap.

 

[John Robinson]

Do this

Remove the water pump

 

[gmjunkie]

I first tried it from under the car — but nothing had been removed. I'll
try it again. Thanks A Heap.

I change them all the time on LT1's and LT4's with the front up in the air without removing anything except the left center and rear splash shield!!On the drivers side you have to remove them all starting with 5-3-7-1 and then put them back 1-7-3-5 !! The wire boots will only go in at the top of the slot in the bracket!!Takes about an hour to do the left side!

 

[toptechx6]

I first tried it from under the car — but nothing had been removed. I'll
try it again. Thanks A Heap.

Take your time, you will get it, but it takes patience. As mentioned earlier it is NOT an easy job, see Junk's post and remember he is a pro.
Don't quit now, if you need incentive think about this..... a dealer will double the regular labor if you bring it in after starting the job yourself.:L

 

[toptechx6]

Donny I just thought of something else since you keep mentioning how hard it is to remove the wires. Instead of pulling straight off at the plugs or distributor cap, first twist the rubber boot about a half turn.
They make pliers specifically for the job but needle nose can work too. ONLY use them on wires you plan to replace, the needle nose may tear the rubber boot.
The boots almost seal in place over time, you should feel it break loose from the plug or cap after twisting, once you feel that then pull straight off. Again good luck.

 

[rmagee7]

is it just me or is the optispark a real pain in the kester some times,kind makes me think that whoever designed the system really had it in for shade trees!

 

[Donne Trav]

is it just me or is the optispark a real pain in the kester some times,kind makes me think that whoever designed the system really had it in for shade trees!

I agree! I mean, what in the "sam hill" was this or these guys thinking? From
an easy-to-get-to distributor to a device called an Opti-Spark! "Opti must be
an abbreviation for "Optional".