Hey guys like i mentioned before im a body paint guy not no mechanic. I want to try to learn alot from this project just need help. I have a 1957 gmc pickup and pulled the inline six out without cutting wires and yanking stuff out. Im replacing it with a 1977 305 from a nova or donor car and did the same and didnt yank and wires or cut any. Now what do i do? Wiring and what wire goes where. So i would like the help thanks.
I'll try to help you out. The original 57 altenator had an external voltage regulator. I THINK the 77 would be internally regulated. So you can either use the old altenator & use the external regulator. They work fine. Or you can switch to the newer internally regulated altenator. You will need to put a diode in line, (like a check valve for electricity) to enable you to shut the engine off when you turn off the key. Otherwise the altenator will back feed the ignition through the wiring. The other major difference is the 57 used points style ignition, the 77 is electronic, (big dist, cap?) right? I'm poorly versed in the Chevy electronics. The point style will have one wire to connect the distributor. It must come from the negative side of the coil. The wire on the positive side of the coil will come from a white ballast resistor. There should be 6 volts, not 12 feeding the coil. This is the wire that is switched on and off with the key. So if you want to hot wire an old point style ignition, just run a jumper wire from the battery to the non coil end of the ballast resistor. Maybe someone else here will jump in with the scoop on the electronic ignitions. Worken2much
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