•••1955-56 Chevy Starter Wiring: Why Is There No "R" Terminal•••

both of the solenoids shown here

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1326305,parttype,4188

have both terminals..

 

Stupid Hot Rodders............if you would just leave your car the way the factory built it you wouldnt have all these problems.

 

They have the diode wire at jegs or summit. I got a bunch diodes for $5 on eb
but since then found the terminal on my ign switch that feeds 12 volts at start.

 

I had had this problem earlier this month and the easy fix is to jump the accy terminal to your ign terminal on your ignition switch and you should have 12 volts while cranking. The only problem i can see is if you sit around with the accy on listening to your radio you could burn up your points

I did wonder why the ign had no power while cranking. I knew the coil got power at the R terminal on the original wiring diagram.

 

Thanks guys, all good info! I went to every Auto Store yesterday looking for that repair kit that puts the "R" back into the equation and came up with nothing. Not ever their warehouses could track one down.

So with that it's good that a few more ideas were mentioned. I might just go ahead and try it without the "R" terminal as long as you don't think I'll mess up my cam as it still needs to be broke in.

Anybody have a diagram on the Diode idea? So wire a line form the start position on the ignition switch to the coil and put a diode between the two?

 

You did not need a diode when Don Francisco (a pretty good hotrod author) wrote the book in 59 or 60 in my scan above. The only time the start terminal is connected to the system is when the key is turned all the way to the start position. When the key is released and springs back to the run position that terminal is disconnected from the system and no back feed can occur. It worked then and it will still work today.

 

If I could have bought one I think I might have went that route. Until then all I got is this gay *** Mallory Dual Point! Just kidding, I'm excited about the dual point....but a magneto would have been boss hoss!

 

A wire from the "S" terminal to one side of the relay coil. The other side of the relay coil to ground. The normaly open contact to 12V. the other terminal to the coil side of the resistor. Problem solved.

 

Ok thanks Tommy!! I just didn't know if backfeed was detrimental to my electrical system. I know nothing about wiring a car except what I can see on a diagram. I don't know what a diode does nor do I know what the hell the "R" terminal is actually doing in detail. I'm a simpleton.

 

diodes let electricity flow one way but not back, they use them in alternators to help change ac to dc by giving direction to those crazy electrons!

We're all learnin' here!

The Ford solenoid is a good one, good to use on newer chevy starters too, to cure that wonderful hot start issue.

 

I fixed a hot start issue on my chevy by adding a small bosch type relay to the wire that powers the solenoid. I had measured the voltage at the purple wire, it was around 7 volts and not enough to pull the solenoid back.

But I still think JJ needs to just ignore the R terminal thing and see how it does...maybe when the weather turns cold it'll be a problem, maybe not.

 

Hum, I kinda forgot about it, butyou might look at this thread.
Larry T

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276731