401 Nailhead Ministarter Wiring?

I've been trying to get my 401 nailhead completed in my 54 buick. But, having little or no knowledge of how to correctly wire things i have a question. I bought a mini starter for my 401, installed it and now i am wondering, can I use use the factory wiring and if so, how. There are three factory wires, one that goes to the main terminal, one that runs to the ignition, and I think the ground. the starter only has the large terminal and then a plug that connects to one wire. any ideas? I hate to seem so dumb but even reading my manual isnt getting me in the right direction.

 

You need to find out which of the wires carries your "Start" pulse (Key in engine start position). That should get the starter to crank, but the rest of the wires, I'm not sure without a schematic. You have a voltmeter, right?
SQUIRREL.......Where are you? Wanna take this?

 

I believe thats the yellow wire out of the two small ones. the other is black and just as small, both of those wires come off a regulator/relay? on the wheel well

 

Then the other is has to do with your voltage regulator, probably an exciter for the field windings on your alternator. You're gonna have to find a replacemant for that, probably switched 12V from another source. Are there two seperate tabs on your old starter, or are they shorted together on the starter body? ****, I've got a 401 Nailhead stock starter around here somewhere, let me have a look and I'll get back to you.....

 

I didnt have the original starter on my 401. I have the original on my 264 and it has those to small wires both running to the solenoid on there own "terminal".

 

OK- according to what I found Here: http://www.tocmp.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring%20diagrams/buickindex.htm

Yellow is IGN on (12V) and is in parrallel with the coil. The OTHER one is your starter pulse. That's using the '57 wiring diagram. I think you should check for 12V at the + side of the coil with the IGN switch on and the starter disconnected. If you have power, then just use the black one to kick the starter over, and leave the yellow one off and insulated. Hope that helps.

 

That helps alot Splinter, I have been scratching my head for a while trying to figure it out with out screwing something up. I let you know if I do it right. thanks

 

The yellow wire byp***es the ballast resistor to give 12v to the coil during cranking, probably to ease starting in cold weather. Tape if off.

 

Can I just remove the wire completely since its is free floating?

 

No problem since it has no other function.