Ok, I am currently changing plugs, wires, opti, and water pump in my Z. I changed the opti with no problem. I have moved on to the wires and let me tell you, you have not worked on a car till you have changed LT1 plugs and wires in a fbod. I got the first loom undone in front of the tensioner and ps pump. The second loom behind the pump I cannot undo. In frustration I ripped one wire through the loom. The alternator is off and that helped alot. I cannot fathom how to open that last loom behind the ps pump. I think I could drop the tensioner... Does anyone else have and words of the wise or tips to help me tune my Camaro up?

BTW I cannot take off my ypipe because the cat is welded to it (previous owner deleted it and I need it for emissions so it got welded on).

 

The whole alt bracket will come off with three bolts. Then ya can run your wires take the PS pump and air loose and grind the needed clearance in the bracket to run the wires(if they are oversized)

 

It looks like the PS pump is bolted onto the alt bracket? O well just another thing to take off of my car...

 

a few bolts remove the cover from the bracket, and then a few more bolts remove the pump from the bracket

of course u first have to pull off the pulley with a puller
simple tool, autozone rents them, like a 20dollar deposit that u get back when u return the tool

 

I can take the bracket off though without taking the pump off right?

 

Why do you need a pulley puller? You can get to the bolts with a ratchet and extension on the power steering pump. That is why there are holes in the pulley.

 

no, there's bolts behind the pump you need to access.

You dont need to take the pulley off the pump, as preivously noted by someone else the pulley has holes in it for access.

 

Ok... I can feel and see all the spark plugs and wires. I have removed the alternator. I pull on the wires and it is like something is pinching them. I disconnect the wire from the opti and the plug and pull on them. Nothing happens, its just like they are caught on something. I just did a half hour search and im getting the consenus I need to pull the tensioner. Pulling the ps pump did nothing. SOS!

 

Do what many of us have done....cut those damn wires out and order a set of OTVC wires and looms. I installed a set of Elite's and it was the BEST investment that I made so far!!! Your wires will not come in contact with the headers/manifolds, and you can remove them from the spark plugs in 30 seconds.

 

The bracket the PS pump is mounted on is holding them. It will come loose with three bolts from the block.

 

Why dont you just use this as an excellent excuse to put some headers on and then go OTVC over the valve cover plug wires. OTVC wires can be completely replaced in less than 30 minutes with very little effort. Its almost as easy as the good old days with the distributer on top.

Changing LT1 plug wires in the stock locations is a miserable way to ruin a weekend. The routing just plain sucks. I would rather replace an opti than even look at the stock plug wires.

 

Is there a picture of all three bolts, I can only find 2. One at the top one semi behind the pump and the other one I cannot find. How do you take the tensioner off, will it need to come off?

I cannot explain how frustrated(for a lack of a STONGER word) I am....

 

This is why over the valve cover wires = sweetness

 

^ I realize this but if I cannot even get the stock wires out of the car than this OVC wires will not be possible!

 

Do you have a tiny screwdriver? The ones that are like a pen, and have a pocket clip on them ... They work wonders for unsapping those clips. You have to get right under neath the side where it latches, push the screwdriver in there, and twist. And if your hand doesnt fit, find a scrawny friend.