I have a 1981 Z/28 Camaro. I recently swapped the motor for a 1976 350. I can not figure out how to wire it to the wires that are in the engine bay. I totally ripped the air conditioning out of the car so I know a lot of the wires are now useless. I just want to know what wires I need to start the car. Which wire is the ignition? How many wires should be coming from the starter? Helppppp

 

First off you probably realised that you should always mark all wires when you take them off as to location, but since that wasn't done you'll have to do it the hard way.
You'll need a friend to help, (or a small kid even). Connect up the battery so you can test leads. The wires for the starter should be hanging near the starter, so get a test light and check them to see if either is hot with the key on, and have your helper turn the switch and hold it in the "start" position. If the light goes on when turned to start you've got the right wires. Some use just one small wire, plus the battery lead, and others use both. Once you discover which works, simly tie them to the two terminals, and if it cranks you're good. If it doesn't just switch them, as it either works or it doesn't.
Now to determine which is the correct wire to your ignition you do the same thing, except it should go on before the key is turned to "start". Just turn it to "on" and check to see if the coil wire goes on. Connect that wire to the positive side of your coil, and negative side of the coil goes to the distributor.
This should get you going.

 

Does it matter that I have an HEI distributor?

 

You should keep the distributor that was with the original engine, then the wiring will be the same.

 

If I remember right. Gm used a purple wire from under the ignition switch to the starter. The HEI used a pink wire for 12 volt supply. and (a green one for the tach?) I find myself snipping the HEI plug off alot of cars in the junk yard just to have that plug handy. Alot of guys cut them off for some reason. Oddly enough I had to cut the one out of my truck to intall my MSD box. Here is a pic hope I can help.