Firewall-Mounted Solenoid - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Andrew68c10 · 12-05-2008, 10:47 AM

I should know this by now, but can anyone tell me how to wire up a firewall mounted solenoid and which one to buy?

Sinister · 12-05-2008, 01:07 PM

http://www.google.com/search?q=wirin...L_enUS285US286
I Googled it for you cause it's been a while since I did mine. Definitely a worthwhile addition if you run headers.

Gray Ghost · 12-05-2008, 05:05 PM

I used to run on on both my other trucks, but with my Hedman Shorties I haven't had to do it on this one.

Google wiring a Ford solenoid on a Chevy.

Andrew68c10 · 12-06-2008, 02:49 AM

I have the Dynomax 3/4 length Chevelle headers still in the box. I wonder how they'll do.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 12-06-2008, 07:32 AM

I rigged a Ford-style solenoid on my '71 Jimmy w/ Hedman headers. I mounted it on the passenger side inner fender.

jorgensensc · 12-06-2008, 02:17 PM

Stop calling them FORD solenoids!!!!! GM used them too you know! (Only on some campers. They are all the same part number) J/K! HAHA

Shawn

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 12-07-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgensensc

Stop calling them FORD solenoids!!!!! GM used them too you know! (Only on some campers. They are all the same part number) J/K! HAHA

Shawn

You're right. If it was a genuine F*rd soleniod, it wouldn't work. LOL

Huck · 12-07-2008, 09:52 AM

Actually Ford did have a better idea!!

**Boog** · 12-07-2008, 02:04 PM

You know this topic comes up every now and then. I'm 54 and have heard of this "fix" from way back when but I cannot for the life of me understand how it can help a heat soak situation. You still have wires going down to the starter solenoid to activate the starter. Those wires still get hot and lose amperage same as before.
What I learned to cure the problem "way back when" was to take the starter to a local starter/alternator shop and have then beef up the starter using Delco parts, of course. A stock small block starter has 2 fields and 2 shunts adequate when new but after some time will weaken. Our starter guy put in 2 more fields doubling the starting power of the starter and solved ALL hot start problems forever. It cured the problem on every one we did. It did cost a little bit more than this ferd solenoid fix but no wiring had to be added or modified.
The only possible benefit I can see with this fender mounted solenoid is the shorter distance for the S wire to travel from a solid 12volt source so maybe less amperage drop before it gets to the starter.

Another idea is to pick up a mini starter from the salvage yard. I think they started using them somewhere in the mid 90's. I am told they are rock solid with roller bearings and planetary gear set they are stout and last forever. Anyone used these yet? It would take less amperage to turn this one over.

Sinister · 12-07-2008, 02:54 PM

I don't know why the remote solenoid works, but it does. Solved a hot start problem I was having because of my headers. I am interested in a starter upgrade at some point though.

Andrew68c10 · 12-07-2008, 04:02 PM

I'm just getting back into this after several years off, but I remember some part that would physically sieze up when it got hot. Or maybe it was the contacts would separate when hot? I never thought amperage drop was the issue?

Gray Ghost · 12-07-2008, 09:30 PM

It's those damn cheapo solenoids they use now....can't take the heat. Boog's fix sounds like the bomb to me, but I have tried the F Solenoid and it does work. By using it the wire gets routed away from the headers or manifolds much better than the stock config.

I do like the idea of beefing up the starter. Yes the mini's work great...had one on the Elky and never had a problem.

12-05-2008, 10:47 AM	#1
Andrew68c10 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Paso Robles, CA Posts: 178	Firewall-Mounted Solenoid I should know this by now, but can anyone tell me how to wire up a firewall mounted solenoid and which one to buy? __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 Longbed Fleetside

12-05-2008, 01:07 PM	#2
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid http://www.google.com/search?q=wirin...L_enUS285US286 I Googled it for you cause it's been a while since I did mine. Definitely a worthwhile addition if you run headers. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... Last edited by Sinister; 12-05-2008 at 01:09 PM.

12-05-2008, 05:05 PM	#3
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid I used to run on on both my other trucks, but with my Hedman Shorties I haven't had to do it on this one. Google wiring a Ford solenoid on a Chevy. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

12-06-2008, 02:49 AM	#4
Andrew68c10 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Paso Robles, CA Posts: 178	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid I have the Dynomax 3/4 length Chevelle headers still in the box. I wonder how they'll do. __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 Longbed Fleetside

12-06-2008, 07:32 AM	#5
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,267	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid I rigged a Ford-style solenoid on my '71 Jimmy w/ Hedman headers. I mounted it on the passenger side inner fender. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

12-06-2008, 02:17 PM	#6
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid Stop calling them FORD solenoids!!!!! GM used them too you know! (Only on some campers. They are all the same part number) J/K! HAHA Shawn __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

12-07-2008, 09:52 AM	#8
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid Actually Ford did have a better idea!!

12-07-2008, 02:04 PM	#9
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,235	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid You know this topic comes up every now and then. I'm 54 and have heard of this "fix" from way back when but I cannot for the life of me understand how it can help a heat soak situation. You still have wires going down to the starter solenoid to activate the starter. Those wires still get hot and lose amperage same as before. What I learned to cure the problem "way back when" was to take the starter to a local starter/alternator shop and have then beef up the starter using Delco parts, of course. A stock small block starter has 2 fields and 2 shunts adequate when new but after some time will weaken. Our starter guy put in 2 more fields doubling the starting power of the starter and solved ALL hot start problems forever. It cured the problem on every one we did. It did cost a little bit more than this ferd solenoid fix but no wiring had to be added or modified. The only possible benefit I can see with this fender mounted solenoid is the shorter distance for the S wire to travel from a solid 12volt source so maybe less amperage drop before it gets to the starter. Another idea is to pick up a mini starter from the salvage yard. I think they started using them somewhere in the mid 90's. I am told they are rock solid with roller bearings and planetary gear set they are stout and last forever. Anyone used these yet? It would take less amperage to turn this one over. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

12-07-2008, 02:54 PM	#10
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid I don't know why the remote solenoid works, but it does. Solved a hot start problem I was having because of my headers. I am interested in a starter upgrade at some point though. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

12-07-2008, 04:02 PM	#11
Andrew68c10 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Paso Robles, CA Posts: 178	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid I'm just getting back into this after several years off, but I remember some part that would physically sieze up when it got hot. Or maybe it was the contacts would separate when hot? I never thought amperage drop was the issue? __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 Longbed Fleetside

12-07-2008, 09:30 PM	#12
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: Firewall-Mounted Solenoid It's those damn cheapo solenoids they use now....can't take the heat. Boog's fix sounds like the bomb to me, but I have tried the F Solenoid and it does work. By using it the wire gets routed away from the headers or manifolds much better than the stock config. I do like the idea of beefing up the starter. Yes the mini's work great...had one on the Elky and never had a problem. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.



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