67 wildcat electrical

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by ozamecnik, May 24, 2014.

  1. ozamecnik

    ozamecnik born in the wrong decade

    I hAve electrical issues with my wildcat because the previous owner let the car sit outside uncovered for many years and it had severe water damage when I bought it. The fuse box was shot so I got an okay used one and swapped it out, the kid I bought it from was also quite the "master mechanic". He could figure out why it wouldn't start, I figured out he had the coil wires in the wrong places and several wires behind the fuse box that were hangin bare, not connected. He also disconnected the switch pitch control switch when he put on an incorrect carb and ran the switches hot line to the new electric choke. I changed that all back to stock. But here's the best part, the other day I was looking at a harness diagram to trace some wires and I noticed the voltage regulator in the schematic. Then it struck me, I didn't actually remember seeing mine in my engine bay, so I look around and guess what, it's not there. And I had a cut off connector in my parts bin that I could figure out. This kid cut it out of the harness, rather than just unplug it or replace, he then removed the white and blur wires that run to the alternator and taped the whole harness up again. I don't know what he thought that was going to solve:Dou:
    Anyway, I would like to know how bad this could have affected my car. I've been driving it daily since October without a voltage regulator. My wiper motor is bad, my dash lights don't work nor does the speed alert. I've blown 2 radios so far, and I gotta think this is all because of the missing regulator. I also want to know if it could affect my points, coil, etc.?? I know the ignition system should b regulated and many times my car will randomly start misfiring but later on run smooth. I can't find a harness for the car or any company willing to take on the job so I really need to know if I can fix any or all of this by putting The new regulator back in, also what damage could have occurred since I've been driving. Someone please!!!:confused:
     
  2. red67wildcat

    red67wildcat Well-Known Member

    pm me your a email Ive got a wiring harness I know I pulled out of a 67 cat Ill email you pics and if your interested Ill sell it
     
  3. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  4. ozamecnik

    ozamecnik born in the wrong decade

    The current alternator has a plug on the top but there is nothing plugged into it. Only wire connected to it is the red hot lead on the back. I ordered a new alternator and regulator anyway
     
  5. stellar

    stellar Well-Known Member

    It sounds like you have a one wire alt in there now. Only the power wire to the back is needed with that type of alternator.
     
  6. ozamecnik

    ozamecnik born in the wrong decade

    It only has one wire on it, but it has an unoccupied plug on top like these guys are describing. I don't know anything about that so I'm not sure if it's connected right or wrong. But when I rev the engine the interior lights and idiot lights get much brighter which is why I think it currently has no regulator set up at all. Right now it's going nuts on my again and I don't know what I can do about it anymore so I'm being forced to take it off the road
     
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    The first thing I would do is simply put a voltmeter across the battery with the engine running. See what it reads.
     
  8. stellar

    stellar Well-Known Member

    The one wire alt has a reg inside and it won't start to charge until you rev it up. This sounds like what you have. Take the volt test as described in an earlier post. Take a reading at battery before starting then at idle then after reving it up and at idle then again at high rpm.. The only way it could be causing damage to the rest of your electrical system is if it is overcharging.
     
  9. ozamecnik

    ozamecnik born in the wrong decade

    67 430 week spark

    Ok so first off I know this is probably in the wrong forum catagories but I'm not exactly sure where to start the thread so I came to the bench.. Anyway, if You've read my older threads then you've heard me ranting about the issues that I am still having with my wildcat, if not, take a minute to look through them maybe.
    So I've narrowed it down to being certainly an electrical issue. It's getting good, clean fuel, has no carb issues, has good compression, good valves, good tune up and mechanically sound. But it died on me..yet again... About a month ago and I can't get it to start up at all now. Not even sputtering like it used to do a lot. I've since been through the whole ignition system again from the hot line of the coil to the plugs, and I'm getting spark but it's week. Volt meter shows only 5 volts when cranking. I thought it might b the ignition switch so I opened it up and cleaned it out but that changed nothing. What else could be causing my power loss? Maybe a bad starter solenoid? This car just makes no sense to me anymore I'm starting to believe it's actually possessed or something...
     
  10. DeeVeeEight

    DeeVeeEight Well-Known Member

    Re: 67 430 week spark

    I'm going to apologize up front, I know nothing of your previous threads.
    Weak spark - where are you taking the measurements and how?
    Five volts? Definitely not good. The coil is supposed to take the 12 volts and multiply that many times (thousands of volts?). If you are truly getting 5 volts out of the coil I might try a substitute coil.
    Are you running points in your distributor or HEI? If points and condenser I would be looking at them very closely.
    Does your distributor shaft have a lot of side to side play? Too much play and the points won't function right.
    What is the condition of the distributor cap and rotor?
    I could go on and on with the questions...
     
  11. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Re: 67 430 week spark

    Disconnect the wires at the coil from the system and make a jumper from the coil to the battery. That will, in effect limit the possibilities of system problems. "Generally" speaking, a points type system runs on between 7-10 volts (VDC). The key provides 12vdc to a resistor (either in the coil, or the supply wire) with an second wire providing 12vdc direct in the "start" position, to aid in starting; once in the "run" position, the resistor side is energized for continuous operation.
    DV8 makes valid points as well. Side play will raise hell with the dwell, and if its an HEI, a small supply wire can act as a resistor as well. Sooo, whats the vehicle and systems on board? Bill in TR...
     
  12. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Re: 67 430 week spark

    points and or condenser if not converted to electronic.
     
  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Re: 67 430 week spark

    You need to follow through with the threads that you start, not just let them die and start another thread. I can't speak for others on V8, but one of the most frustrating things I run across while trying to help others here is a lack of information. What kind of distributor are you running? Is it points, GM big cap HEI, or some sort of points conversion. I shouldn't have to research other threads for basic information. Don't you agree?
     
  14. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Re: 67 430 week spark

    You hit the nail on the head (nailhead ??) with that one brutha! Bill in TR
     
  15. ozamecnik

    ozamecnik born in the wrong decade

    Re: 67 430 week spark

    The measurements are coming from the coil output, and I'm running a brand new coil, new cap and rotor points condenser, and even a brand new distributor. All redone ignition system, point style so you all know, and it's all been gone through and tested several times. I've tried substitute coils and caps etc. I spent a hundred bucks the other day on tune up parts when it was already done just recently. Just to be sure it wasn't a coil, or points, or cap and rotor. I've also already tried putting a hot lead on the coil like some of you suggest. Shockingly it did nothing. How much work is envolved in trying an electronic ignition? I may consider switching over if I can't find any more obvious issues with my point style ignition. And LarryGs, lose the attitude dude, I come here for help when I'm helpless and don't know who to ask, not ridicule because you don't like the way I post threads. I'm extremely busy with work and college and don't have frequent chances to check up... Hence the same reason I haven't been able to devote my time to my car. So all I have to say to you is get over it, and I'm sorry for letting old, unviewed threads die. And I apologize to all of you for apperantly looking like a jerk online.
     
  16. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Re: 67 430 week spark

    Even tho yer avatar is upside down you seem well grounded... is the ignition system as well (as in fusible link on the ground wire at the battery)?? ws in tr
     
  17. 65specialconver

    65specialconver kennedy-bell MIA

    Re: 67 430 week spark

    Boy,did you make a big mistake saying that.....:Dou:
     
  18. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Re: 67 430 week spark


    Perhaps Larry and the others on here who are not in college are now too busy to help someone with your attitude.
     
  19. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Re: 67 430 week spark


    I think you better go back and read what I wrote. There was no attitude until you posted the above. I'll repeat what I said again. One of the most frustrating things I run across WHILE TRYING TO HELP OTHERS, is a lack of information. The caps in this case are for emphasis, I'm not yelling at you. I want to help, but I can't, because I don't have basic information that I need. So I asked for that information because I actually did go back to look at a few of your prior threads looking for that information and it wasn't there. If you stick with one thread, at least someone seeing it for the first time can go back and review, see what others have posted, and maybe suggest something new. When you start a new thread, you lose that, and members reading that new thread might suggest things that have already been posted. That doesn't get your problem solved and that is what these Forums are for, to solve problems.

    Have a look at my post count. I've been here for a long time, and I like to think that I have helped a fair amount of members, as well as learned a bunch my self. That is why I'm addicted to this site. You are way off base dude. In any case, have a look at this thread I wrote on points system basics. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...nd-HEI-System-function-tests-and-modification
     
  20. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    Re: 67 430 week spark

    v8 junky. LOL


    Derek
     

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