I have been working on my 52 for some time now. I removed the 235 and put in a 1985 Chevy Impala 350 engine (couple of years ago), I am running into a problem. I re-wired it the same way. However the old 235 had a separate ignition coil & little distributor, whereas the 350 has an 85 Chevy distributor. I also dont know where the heck the two wires that come out the side of the 85 distributor go to. I put one on the ignition key where the old ignition coil went. Should I swap the original ignition switch? Another problem was it has a push ****on start. You turn the key and then push the ****on nothing happens! It has two terminals on it. I am so close to getting it started I feel it! Can someone please advise anything about the starting circuit? At first I thought it was because I didn't ground the block. Went to advance and picked up a $5 grounding strap, no crank no luck Need help! I am so close to get her going. Thanks
What year did Chevy switch from 6V positive ground to the 12V negative ground system...??? I think '52 was still 6V... That could be part of the problem....
Well, 12V to 6V is still going to work as far as the wiring goes - they're negative ground right along - but first of all, unless you changed it a 1985 is going to be computer controlled carb, which means you need the harness of the Caprice to get it going (hard) - or you need to swap the carb and distributor for one like 1980 or older (much easier). The computer doesn't control as much on those, but it is necessary for it to run because the distributor has an electronic control module in it. The voltage is only an issue for all the bulbs, the fuel sending unit and gauge, temp gauge, and clock. Oil pressure is mechanical on these. However, going from generator to alternator (and points to electronic ignition) you need to change some wiring anyways - there's a resistance wire in there to protect the points, and the routing needs to change also or the motor might not shut off when you cut the key. What you might want to do is pick up a book on automotive electronics and wiring - hit the library and look for an older one for the pre-computer era though. But you probably would be best off just re-wiring the whole thing - get rid of that old cloth covered stuff and start over. There are quite a few makers of replacement harnesses, best bet would be to go to someone who makes it for you custom for your car, that way everything is labeled and there's no need to sort out extras like power windows or locks or whatever else. I know at least one brand is marked every 5 inches what the wires are for. Also you should be able to swap in a 1958-1967 dash mount ignition switch and get it to take your stock lock cylinder, but then get one with more connections on the back and off-on-start-acc positions. Just leave the push ****on there for decoration - In the meantime if you just want to fire the motor, ***uming it's been de-brained of the need for a computer, a hot wire from battery to coil and a jumper cable to bump the starter over will do it.
Thanks for the help. Here is what I got accomplished today. I ran a wire from my starter to the Power ON terminal of my Ignition switch. I ran another wire to the Alternator. The “PUSH” ****on start switch has two terminals; I ran one to the “S” side of the Starter and the other to Accessory side of the ignition. I get no response when I push the start ****on. I turn the key, push the start ****on and the starter tries to turn but just clicks.??????? Can I say that the Starting circuit is complete? Wait a second, my distributor? I have added a diagram of which type it is. It has two wires coming out, a green one, which I have terminated to one of the accessory pins on my ignition. I am not sure if that’s where it should be connected. As for the black wire, I’m not sure where it is suppose to go. It also has 3 wires coming from under the cap and into a 3P socket on the cap (C- GND B+) Just the sound of the starter clicking as I pushed the push start ****on made me happy. I still need to do other stuff like the drive shaft (shortened & balanced), add some sort of better braking system to it than the stock drums up front! I was thinking of picking up something at a junk yard 70’s & 80’s brake system. Brake booster. I could use any help, if anyone has a second to look at the diagram in my album and advice would be great. Thanks http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=21860&pictureid=259339
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