Need help, plug wires dist.

[BillyBlaze]

Anyone have a diagram of how the plug wires go on the distributor cap?

Had my truck running good and a couple of wires came off, must have put them on backwards this morning when I was half asleep so I dont remember which two came off or I would just switch them back....lol

I have a 73 1/2 ton with the 454 engine.

Thanks for the help!

[454HO]

Find #1 and then just put them in the correct order.

http://www.boxwrench.net/specs/chevy_bb.htm

[babyJay]

There is a very good writeup in the FAQ section on this topic. It goes in depth on how to find Top Dead Center, etc. You should start there if you don't know where #1 is at.

[BillyBlaze]

Man thanks guys for helping out a noob, search is my friend just didnt know where to search
I drew out a diagram and now it's going into the glovebox.

[BillyBlaze]

OK, just went out to rewire the truck.....I followed the diagram and now the truck won't start and just clicks multiple times and won't turn over.

Any suggestions?

I went from the front of the truck...block / pass side 2468, drivers side 1357
the dist cap 18436572 with 1 being the bottom right hole from front of truck

[BillyBlaze]

well it looks like #1 could be anywhere on the cap......
so I guess I screwed up by going by the diagram in that post.

Guess I am down to pulling the wires and going around the cap starting #1 one hole over each time till the truck starts......what a PITA.

Once I get it runing this time I am taking the damn thing for a total rebuild so I dont have to keep trying to get it to run like it is supposed to anyhow.
Bought sense is better than told.

[BillyBlaze]

Originally Posted by babyJay

There is a very good writeup in the FAQ section on this topic. It goes in depth on how to find Top Dead Center, etc. You should start there if you don't know where #1 is at.

Haven't found this yet., any hints on how to find it in the search...key words etc?

[dan76]

An easier way than what you're going to try is to find TDC (use the link), remove the cap and the rotor will point to #l.

[BillyBlaze]

Originally Posted by dan76

An easier way than what you're going to try is to find TDC (use the link), remove the cap and the rotor will point to #l.

alright I have elliminated 4 of 8 possibilities, will what I am doing,...."going around the cap rewiring one hole over at a time" get the truck started again whn I find #1????

I haven't been able to get the thing to even turn over yet just the clicking several times when the key is turned. is this normal?

Since I dont feel like I have a good enough understanding of how the cap and rotor work, and I am fearful of screwing something else up, and knowing my luck this feels like the safest think for me to do and the most logical with the limited understanding I have with a cap and rotor system.

[babyJay]

If it is just "clicking" you either have a bad starter, bad solenoid, loose battery cable, or dead battery.

[us111]

hello,with babyjay on this one.clicking dont have nothing
to do with plug wires,unless u have knocked a ground wire
or something loose while moving them around.throw a jump
start on it,see if battery has been run down.

[BillyBlaze]

looks like the starter is going out on it, a couple of taps with a hammer while turning it over got her running again.
Battery is brand new. new cap too, I am of to get a starter and coil as well since it has died twice while running.

One those are on it's off to get a total rebuild.
I will probably have it in the shop on Wednesday, will post pics of the new engine.

[BillyBlaze]

ok, here's whats been done....

timing belt service
new battery
plugs and plug wires
distributor cap
starter
coil
rebuilt carb

now it looks like the park neuttral switch is out or the steering column is screwed up.
random symptoms are....
key gets stuck
gets stuck in park
cant turn off

I am checking on this today......it's likie it knows once it's running safely enough to go 40 miles or so it's getting a new motor and dont want it.