hello all. Happy holidays. I recently picked up a 1970 skylark. It has a rebuilt engine and trans. Runs really good. The previous owner wired a alligator clip to battery. Remove clip to turn off car. I recently had a 68 that did this too. I fixed it and I can't remember how I did it. I tried searching the forums but I am not savvy on computer. My engine has a electronic dist. And I'm guessing its wired wrong. I can't seem to find a free wiring diagram online. Anyone here xan you please point me in rhe right direction. Thank you. Here's a pic of my car and engine. I have the buick rallys. I just got it and need to drive everyday. So I picked up these chevelle wheels to get me by while I restore the buick wheels.
from the Chevelle forum: You just need the diode as the alternator is backfeeding the IGN circuit. I just went through this a few weeks ago when I converted my HEI to be fed by a relay instead of the IGN circuit. In my case, it backfeeds at about 6V, which isn't enough to drive the HEI, but it is enough to trip the relay, which is why I was getting a run-on. Here is my thread on it, and the end result was to get the diode (bought a connector with it built in on eBay.) http://www.chevelles.com/forums/27-...105-distributor-wiring-puzzle.html?highlight= Common problem as it turns out, but since it never bit me before either I was confused as heck, until I figured out what was going on and why.
Not sure any wiring diagram will help you very much. The correct way to wire a GM HEI is to eliminate and replace the resistance wire used with points. That is because the GM HEI needs full battery voltage where the points run on reduced voltage to maximize their life. The engine harness connector on the firewall includes a wire that feeds the + side of the points coil. Part of that wire is a special calibrated length of resistance wire. It joins with a wire from the small "R" terminal on the starter solenoid, and from there to the + side of the coil. That is the wire that needs replacing with a single 12 gauge wire from the firewall to the BAT terminal of the GM HEI cap. The feed to that wire is shut down when you turn the key to OFF. You need to find that position on the firewall harness connector and wire it to the HEI. The wires may still be there, but they were probably chopped off by one of the incompetent previous owners, but maybe you get lucky. This thread may help somewhat. http://v8buick.com/index.php?thread...ystem-function-tests-and-modification.248990/
Thank you for pics of the diagram. The p.o had engine and trans out and rebuilt. So I was just wanting to retrace all the wiring. Although everything is working good. Except shut off. No worries will figure out soon
Reminds me of a time when i was in a demo derby (Richland Center Wi.) with a Dodge with a 340 with auto trany and won the heat but when my brothers and i looked at it to get ready for the next heat i could not shut it off, The thing was so hot it was glowing. It was going to lock up if we did not shut it down. I poured a big cup of soda down the carb did not even sputter, sent the youngest brother Brook to get a pail of water. It was crazy, finally amongst the kayos we dumped the whole pail on the carb, and it stuttered and finally quit! toke some doing to get it running again, but did, and a I'll never forget it,,, a 66 Chrysler took me out at the end of the next heat! What a time we had . The whole family was helping. Mom, Dad, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. A time in my life that will be with me forever....
Now I will hook it up proper. Would it be ok to butt connect. Or should I really remove the whole block and replace wire? Thanks
I'd replace the wire. That's the right way. The harness is just 1 bolt. Follow the instructions in the linked thread.
Bought a 77 LeSabre early this summer. Was wired the same way. had to connect the red wire to the battery to power the HEI. I found the ing switch at the base of the steering column fried/ melted. Replaced that and ran a new wire from there to the HEI and it works as it should.
Thank you!! I'm at store now. First drive. Wouldn't start. So once I get home I'm rewiring it. Thank you so much. Sorry I didn't look in faq First.
Looks like you have a couple vacuum lines missing. You should invest in a manual. You will find lots of info there. Anything that doesn't is why we're here! Apparently the previous owner tried to run the HEI with the factory distributor wire and simply bypassed that straight to the battery when it wouldn't work. As Larry said, the non-resistor wire mod works. Other folks use a relay to use higher gauge wire to allow more current for the HEI. Frequently they run into the problem I referenced.
