Okay,

I've purchased two different types of wire looms and neither will wok on my car. I need some advice on what to buy. I have a SBC 350 with centerbolt heads. I spent almost $300.00 on a set of Chevy Performace polished auminum valve covers and Bilet Specialties PCV, oil filler cap and breather, so I would like to not use anything that covers them up. I have factory A/C on the car, so space is very limited. I recently tried a set of Moroso looms that bolt to the cylinder heads just below the valve cover, but the A/C box on the passenger side is too close for the large bracket and clip, and the compressor on the driver's side is also too close. Are there any good systems that would work for me?

Dave

Perfect application for routing the wires UNDER the manifolds and with the front two on each side going between the motor mount and block.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/400Tri-powerRear.jpg

hit up an 88 and newer Chev/GMC pickup and grab the looms off that. they run the wires behind the back of the heads and along the valve cover rail, tucked in nice and close to the engine to clear everything and look nice. the plastic clips lock closed and hold the wires in place really tight.
if the plastic parts are bad- which they probably are- head to the "Help!" section of your favorite auto parts store and get replacements.
all told, you'll probably have $10 into this whole project.
if you just gotta have some "bling" for some crazy reason- but want a well engineered system- then head to your local GM dealer and shell out the $100+ for the "ZZ430" looms that they sell. they route the wires pretty much like the pickup setup i just mentioned, but the polished brackets are laser cut out of stainless steel and have the bowtie cut into them.

Perfect application for routing the wires UNDER the manifolds and with the front two on each side going between the motor mount and block.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/400Tri-powerRear.jpg

very interesting way to route he wires... never seen that done before.

Go to you local parts store and ask to look in there Mr. Gasket cataque. I was just looking through one the other day for my BB, but I did see some cool ones for sb 88 up series.

Perfect application for routing the wires UNDER the manifolds and with the front two on each side going between the motor mount and block.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/400Tri-powerRear.jpg

Looks like I'd have to pull the motor to do this? I can't see how I'd be able to get under the manifolds with them installed.

Dave

Looks like I'd have to pull the motor to do this? I can't see how I'd be able to gut under the manifolds with tem installed.

Dave
Oh, it's do-able, just not a whole lot of fun. Easiest way is to route the wires through the motor mounts BEFORE you install the distributor cap ends and boots. This was Chevy's preferred way of wire routing back in the mid-60's so stock looms and clips should be available. I'd rather make my own, as you see.

When I do this, I buy the short motor mounts, then space 'em away from the block with longer bolts and stacks of hardened washers as needed for alignment with the frame pedestals. More room to get the plug boots through.

Looks like I'd have to pull the motor to do this? I can't see how I'd be able to gut under the manifolds with tem installed.

Dave

No, you wouldn't but it would be advantageous to remove the manifolds or headers.... I did this on mine and I love it but it takes longer than 10 minutes to route the wires, probably three hours or more to do it right. And you need to custom cut the wires to length.

I like the concept, but I'm looking for something a bit less labor intensive.

Dave

Go with Novaderrick's 1st solution. My vortecs have bolted in (1/4x20x3/4 or so bolt) loom holders just below the rocker rail, and I used 96 truck factory brackets and holders. A little tough to see, in the pics, but they're on the driver's side. You could use longer wires and route them around the back, just mix and amtch 2,3, and 4 wire holders from gm.
12132228=1 wire
12132229=2 wire
12163607=3 wire
88891792=4 wire
12554084=1 tab support
12554210=2 tab support
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/Bowtie-Bry/DSC01950-1.jpg

Go with Novaderrick's 1st solution. My vortecs have bolted in (1/4x20x3/4 or so bolt) loom holders just below the rocker rail, and I used 96 truck factory brackets and holders. A little tough to see, in the pics, but they're on the driver's side. You could use longer wires and route them around the back, just mix and amtch 2,3, and 4 wire holders from gm.
12132228=1 wire
12132229=2 wire
12163607=3 wire
88891792=4 wire
12554084=1 tab support
12554210=2 tab support
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/Bowtie-Bry/DSC01950-1.jpgTidy engine bay. :thumbsup: Can you get a better pic of the looms?

Thanks for all the responses. I like the recommendation from Bowtie-72. Are the loom holders the part #'s you referred to as part #'s 12554084=1 tab support and 12554210=2 tab support in your post?

Dave

Thanks to another related thread (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185091&highlight=wire+looms)I think I've found the setup I was looking for.

http://www.made4uproducts.com/images/Center%20bolt%20brkt%20on%20350.jpg

http://www.made4uproducts.com/images/50-82494_Aluminum_Brkt_Closeup.GIF

Thanks to everyone for the help!

Dave

Another solution...

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9282&d=1190594463

Another solution...

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9282&d=1190594463

I looked at those too, but my valve covers are engraved and I didn't want to cover them up.

Dave

Pics(it's a driver, not a trophy getter):
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/Bowtie-Bry/carpics/DSC02786.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/Bowtie-Bry/carpics/DSC02785.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/Bowtie-Bry/carpics/DSC02784.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/Bowtie-Bry/carpics/DSC02782.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/Bowtie-Bry/carpics/DSC02783.jpg

You can see that I kept both tabs for wire mounts just in case I ever wanted to use it for another holder of some sort. You can also see the slot under the wire holder in one pic. I used a different GM numbered 4 wire holder for separators between cap and plug than listed previously. I don't have that number, but a little scrounging will find what you need.