Bare minimum engine wiring 78 c10

[edflores]

I need to get my car running because the local code enforcement likes harassing me.
Previous owner left some of the wiring there, but I dont know where to start
Its a 78 c10,
I put in a 91 suburban 350, converted a carb and 73-80 HEI Distributor.
I believe my truck was originally V8

Any pics, especially what plug goes where would be a big help

[INSIDIOUS '86]

18436572 is the firing order. The rotor turns clockwise. You need fuel, and a power wire to the "bat" terminal on the distributor this will get you running

[edflores]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

18436572 is the firing order. The rotor turns clockwise. You need fuel, and a power wire to the "bat" terminal on the distributor this will get you running

What about the starter and alternator?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Ah yes the alt needs a wire to the battery positive. And the starter needs the power from the positive Batt cable and a signal wire from the ignition to the small terminal on the starter.

If you need a wiring harness for the engine it may save you time to get one at the local wrecking yards it justs unbolts from the firewall and comes out easily

[edflores]

Thanks, I got lucky and I had most of the engine wiring the mostly squared away last night, except for the starter wire.
Theres 3 wires and a metal tube? power, solenoid and?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Metal tube? I'm assuming this is the starter your talking about?

[edflores]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Metal tube? I'm assuming this is the starter your talking about?

correct

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Yes this should have one large stud and twwo smaller that are signal. The signal terminal is the closestbto the block.

Part of your main harness that comes down attached to the large terminal and battery cable on the starter.

[edflores]

Ok, I have an 87 burb tilt column and when I hit the switch, nothing happens

[JCampbell]

Tell the local Goon Squad to "eff off". It's you're property, ain't it?

Code Enforcement Officers are the "Hall Monitors" of society.

[edflores]

Originally Posted by JCampbell

Tell the local Goon Squad to "eff off". It's you're property, ain't it?

Code Enforcement Officers are the "Hall Monitors" of society.

Wish I could.... They have given me warnings about other cars before, but if they come back,( they havent yet with me) the car has to start, move forward and back.

[cfan10]

^Yep, code enforcement suck @$$, so nice to know our tax dollars are paying for them to harass us!
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[rollinhard]

Try putting the small wire on the small terminal onthe solenoid see it that work. Does your dash light up at all when u turn the key forward

[edflores]

I wish I had a dash.. lol....
I dont have a cluster yet. The previous owner tossed everything.

[hopelessredneck]

dose it have to start by key if not just jump the starter with a momentary switch for the stupid rent a cop

[edflores]

I want to get the column working so I can just hit a switch.

[86c20]

just but it on a switch in the truck so it looks good

[edflores]

Ok, I have power at the big terminal of the starter, at the fuse box, key makes power flow to the circuits, but I have no power at the distributor, or starter when attempting to crank?

[Axle]

Any unacounted for small guage wires in the engine compartment? Probe them looking for one that goes live when you turn the key to start (crank), you may have the wrong wire hooked up to your starter.

The bat wire is probably going to the wrong terminal in the distribution block, it should have power in both start and run position.

Quick and dirty work around:
Run a wire to an on-off switch hidden somewhere from the battery. Connect the switched side to the bat terminal on the HEI, AND run a second wire to an MOMENTARY contact push button switch easily in reach from the drivers seat. Turn Key to Run. turn on switch. press button to start.
DON"T FORGET TO TURN OFF THE SWITCH when parking, or you will 1.fry the hei coil. 2.drain your battery.

Alex.

[edflores]

Originally Posted by Axle

Fast and dirty: Run a wire from the small terminal on the starter FURTHEST from the engine block to the HEI battery terminal. (you'll have two wires at the hei then). That is the resistor bypass for the old points ignition.

When you have time, you can hunt down the correct terminal in the distribution block to connect your hei wire to.

Alex.

As of now, I have power to the distributor using the key.
The only thing I cant get power to is the starter. I know the starter and column are good, both came out of running trucks

[edflores]

Originally Posted by Axle

Any unacounted for small guage wires in the engine compartment? Probe them looking for one that goes live when you turn the key to start (crank), you may have the wrong wire hooked up to your starter.

The bat wire is probably going to the wrong terminal in the distribution block, it should have power in both start and run position.

Quick and dirty work around:
Run a wire to an on-off switch hidden somewhere from the battery. Connect the switched side to the bat terminal on the HEI, AND run a second wire to an MOMENTARY contact push button switch easily in reach from the drivers seat. Turn Key to Run. turn on switch. press button to start.
DON"T FORGET TO TURN OFF THE SWITCH when parking, or you will 1.fry the hei coil. 2.drain your battery.

Alex.

Ive been looking with my multi meter, but nothing gets power when the key is in the "crank" position

[hopelessredneck]

are your nutral safety switch wires on if not it wont start

[edflores]

Originally Posted by hopelessredneck

are your nutral safety switch wires on if not it wont start

Its the purple wire on the white piece on the column right? If so, those are connected

[hopelessredneck]

there should be two purple and two green.

[Axle]

Jumper the purple wires at the neutral safety switch. If your neutral safety switch is out of adjustment you will also have a no-start.

Alex.