HEI wiring

[Bret B]

I've looked through the archives and think I'm on the right track, but I would like to confirm it. I'm installing the HEI and finishing the wiring, or specifically, the 12volt supply. Truck is a '65 with a 350.

There were two wires attached to the positive side of the old coil. One being the resister wire (shielded and attaches to the firewall plug) and the other coming from the starter (bypass wire I believe, and is yellow). I took the engine wire harness off and removed the resistance wire and the bypass wire. Here is the question, is it as simple as connecting a new spade connector with 14 gauge wire to the harness plug where the resistance wire was, connect the other end to the BAT on the distributor, and that is it? Appreciate any input

Thanks,
Bret

[vgnope]

I jus finished checkin my Hei th other day cause I thought it had a burnt wire or somthin was up for th truck not to start..1 hot wire from th hei ran through firewall to a main hot wire that branched off to other terminals..th starter has a hot from batt, and a solenoid wire wired to th ignition..I bought th truck with Hei already installed.. So not much info on th rewiring new system thing..
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[Captainfab]

When I did my Suburban, I ran a new 12 ga wire from the ignition switch thru the factory firewall plug and over to the BAT side of the HEI distributor. Basically replaced the original wire with the 12 ga wire since the factory used 12 ga on vehicles with the HEI.

[awbrown]

X 2 on what capt fab said ....

[msgross]

x3,

[Bret B]

Thanks guys. So, I am on the right track to just remove the old resistance wire, and put in a new wire with spade into firewall plug. Just wanted to make sure. Picked up the flat spade connector on the way home today. Would like to think I can plug it in tonight, if the "honeydo" is short enough.

[blackedoutharley]

What Cap't Fab said... and get one of these to make a simple hook up with the tach (if you're running one).




http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACC-170072/

[Bret B]

Got something similar to that plug from Jegs with the distributor Blackedoutharley.

I guess I missed what Captfab said above. Run a wire from the ignition (I'm assuming the switch) to the HEI directly, but using the harness in the center of the firewall, right? So me just taking out the restistance wire, and bypass wire isn't enough, is that correct? I would say I'm literal impared and not understanding going directly from the ignition switch. Any photos?

[msgross]

on your fuse box is a "switched ignition" male spade... most guys just run a new wire from that to the spade on the HEI... bypass all resistance wiring or make sure you have a pure 12V at the HEI cap...

[Bret B]

Not sure how to do the insert photo thing, so I attached a photo of my fuse panel and the wires going to the back of the ignition switch. There are two splices on the ignition wires and I believe those were done for the radio, IIRC. So, where should I be putting in the 12volt lead? The third photo is of where I thought I could put it. Larger red wire intended to be the 12volt to cap and it replaced the restistance wire.

[Captainfab]

What I did was just traced the original ignition wire that went to the coil, all the way back to the back of the ignition switch. I removed that wire, and replaced it with a new 12 ga wire, going the same route as the original wire, and connected it to the BAT terminal of the HEI.....HTH

[Bret B]

OK, now I think I understand. Lets see if I do though; you took out the same resistance wire to the harness (same as in photo), but continued into the cab. The entire wire was removed back to its termination point. Was the wire inside the cab a resistance wire as well, do you know, or just from the harness/firewall point to coil? I will look today and see what I've got at that harness/firewall inside the cab, which I didn't do.

Thanks for the assistance, very much appreciated.
Bret

[Bret B]

Alright everyone, HEI is in and truck starts. First time go at this station.

Captfab, thanks for helping me understand, followed the wire to ignition, cut tape, disconnected, ran new wire, new plug connectors (both sides) and re-taped harnesses (both sides). Decided against normal electrical tape and got the non-sticky cold-shrink fabric type tape and electrical taped the ends.

Timing is set at 8degrees BTC (no vacuume line attached), don't know if that is right, but it is a good baseline to my understanding, and didn't compromise throttle response too bad. Likely running a little rich though. Previous distributor was set around 10 BTC.

Appreciate the help all.

Bret

[msgross]

glad it worked out...

[Bret B]

Thanks msgross, appreciate your help as well.