I have a 1980 Camaro, and just recently I replaced the valve cover gaskets, in doing so i disconnected all of the spark plug wires from the distributer. And now i dont know how to put them back. I dont know the firing order nor which plug to plug where on the distributer cap. I guess i was in a rush in getting my car operational again, and all this did is set it back another day or so. I have a GM Goodwrench 350, model #10067353KIT. Any help is appreciated.

 

Could I possibly get a diagram, showing engine firing order and wiring diagram please?

 

If you want to be sure you are installing them right, pull the #1 spark plug. Put your thumb over the spark plug hole. Have a bud rotate the engine by hand or bump the starter till compression builds in the cylinder. This means #1 is coming up to TDC, firing. Get the timing mark on the balancer close to the timing tab.

Then lift the distributor cap. Whatever terminal the rotor is pointing at is #1.

Starting at that terminal, start hooking up the wires. Lay out the wires longest to shortest. Obviously you want to use long for the front cylinders, short for the rear.

From #1 the others will go 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Clockwise. Layout of the cylinders on the motor is like this:

8 7
6 5
4 3
2 1

front

If memory serves, hei caps are marked for #1. You can rely on that if you want, but the above method is failsafe, especially if distributor has been out of engine and motor has been rotated.

edit: if you are going to use starter to bump engine, disconnect juice to distributor. If spark energy doesn't have anywhere to go, it might travel down inside the cap and damage the module.

 

Just find anyone with a 350 engine and have them make you a drawing. ALot easier.

I did the same thing once on my Ciation X-11. Called up a buddy who had a 60 degree V6 and from his instructions I drew a picture. Fast and easy.

 

I attempted to use my girlfriend to feel when compression increased in the cylinder while i rotated the engine my hand. I did not succeed so i just took all the wires off except for cylinder 1 and went around the distributer untill it fired correctly. Quick and easy.