Cam replacement and Engine Wiring looks crazy

Well today we finally took off the intake manifold and valve covers got a good look at the engine. Looks like ill be needing a new cam, would love any recommendations on which to get, looking for stock or close to it as i want to keep a daily driver. At this point it would be a good time to do the the 4BBL upgrade so let's leave that to a vote im still on the fence about it for some reason. other then that car is coming along nicely. I was looking at some of the wiring and it seems out of place on a few things added a photo. the ground and power wires were exposed under the electrical tape/harness wrap not sure if thats normal but i dont think so. also there is a wire wrapped in fabric that gets spliced down and connects to the ignition coil, def doesn't seem right. none the less gonna clean it all up in there. Thanks in advance for any feed back or help it means the world to me as this is my first project of this level, I hope you all had a good weekend!

 

That splice is normal. And the resistor wire (white cloth covered) is normal and in that splice.

Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the grease and then wrap the splice securely first with electrical tape. Then wrap with wire wrap (not electrical tape).

Not sure where the wire with the missing terminal is supposed to go, but if you can show or tell where it is located in the harness and/or where it is near, that will help.
Can you clean it and tell what color it is?

 

The looks to be brown or orange, it’s not a tach wire it connects to this that was on the intake manifold, maybe oil press sending unit? and it just ends i cant find where it would have gone inside the rest of the harness.

 

That's a ported vacuum switch. Should have 3 nipples on the side.

 

It looks like it only has 2, maybe one broke

 

Yes. One broken off near the top.

Does it have black with pink trace and pink with black trace wires connected?

 

It’s fully disconnected but yes those are the colors of the wires connected to the harness on top. The the pink with black trace is the one that’s lost on the wire harness.

 

OK.

The pink goes back in the wrapped harness to the firewall connector, and the black goes to the kickdown switch on the side of the transmission.

If you do not have a shop manual, you really need one. It will be your bestest friend ever.
(Like Bubba was to Forrest Gump...)

 

Yeah I def need to order like a full color one. I have a PDF manual but it’s all black and white. I’ll get one this week.

 

Is that something that needs to be hooked up? im gonna be upgrading the intake manifold for a 4BBL.

 

Not sure exactly sure what the vacuum signal is doing in this case.
It may work with the TCS (vacuum Timing Control System for timing event and transmission gear change/kickdown) solenoid in the transmission. (but the vacuum switch can be found/purchased if it becomes necessary or desirable to function)

Someone who has better understanding of the '72 year model can chime in and explain it.

A good deal of the "smog/fuel economy" and other things that happened at that time can be eliminated/deleted/bypassed and better tuning for efficiency and power over the "stock" settings/controls.

Since I have not had ownership of a '72 Skylark, I cannot give more input on it.

But properly eliminating or "tuning" requires the correct maintenance be done, so you do not give up power or create a problem that will result in poor performance or possible damage.

(most of the time, it is just poor performance and trouble getting the car to run well)

 

I'm not sure about that switch and the wiring, but if you went through all of the effort to remove the intake manifold, and are going to replace the cam, I would definitely go with the 4 barrel carb upgrade, now.

 

Agreed!! However the 4bbl aluminum intake manifold from TA is out of stock until they don’t know when. So for now new a cam and lifters are what’s going in. Will have to do the intake some other time unfortunately.

 

I've seen a few used SBB ones around lately, for sale. Check FB Marketplace.

 

I’ll take a look, any SBB 350 intake will work? assume I would need a larger fuel pump as well. Still new to all of this…

 

For a basically stock motor, a stock or aftermarket dual-plane manifold should work fine. I'm waiting on one of the small block experts to chime in, too...

 

So... after doing some research on the subject of Buick small block intake manifolds (out of curiosity), it appears that your only options are the TA Performance Stage 1, a stock intake manifold, or an old Poston S Divider. I'm really surprised that there are not more options out there for the 350.

 

I'm curious as to how you know or why you think it needs a new camshaft (?).
Personally I feel you will be much happier with a slightly more performance oriented camshaft, 4BBL carb & dual exhaust. I would suggest replacing that wiring harness and eliminate the crusty wiring insulation that will continue to crack apart as you own and work on the car. Bypassing the early attempts by GM for smog reduction will also help the car run better and get better fuel mileage.

 

Yeah it’s kinda slim selections out there, but all good. The 2bbl works great and once tuned with the new cam should be good to go till I can get manifold for 4bbl upgrade.

 

After taking off the intake manifold to replace gasket noticed that few of the cams where worn down alittle. It is a 50 year old stock cam. Was able to order a TA Performance 112 so that will be a nice addition. Hoping to get it together this weekend. Cleaning up the wiring harness for sure! Got some new harness wrap and electric tape to clean it all up.