How To Wire Up the Starter and Ignition On Any Classic Engine

This video goes over the basics of wiring on pre-computer engines.

Ignition switch:

Solenoid:

Resistor:

[libertyauto]

Thanks. The extra voltage to coil during cranking trick is new to me.

[hollowdonte]

Thank you I'm rewiring a 64 dynamic 88 and this helped a lot it's my first time doing something like this so seeing someone explain it simply like you did helps.

[tomcrawshaw]

Great video. Like a previous commenter, I'm also rewiring an 88 - mine's a 1950 futuramic model. This video has helped explain the reason why it's always been so hard to start.

[cncsandingtools]

That Extra Voltage to my very old Champ Forklift was just the extra boost it needed to fix the hard start issue Thanks

[jimmywilson]

Man that’s so cool. I can’t stand jumbled up wires running everywhere. I hope I can learn how to do this. I just recently bought an old Ford F100 and I want to get the wiring fixed and working properly. Thanks for the advice.

[parkerazz]

Fantastic information! Will be using this to wire up my 74 dodge 440 in my RV. Subscribed

[eliaspischi]

Im gonna wire my fiat 850 like that.
I had the same problem you explained, while craking nothing as soon as i stop, it tries to start.
Thanks man, this is priceless for me!

[robertjohnson]

The good old days of wiring. How simple compared to today's mess.

[johnbaxter]

Great video, confused as to where wires hook up on switch => solenoid.

[rongibson]

Very interesting. I was surprised the voltage through the resister was not lower than that. I thought they were supposed to be around 8 to 11 volts. Explained very well. Thanks

[paulevans]

Awesome! You want to come hang out some time, maybe work on an old Scout?😂

[extrajay]

I'm dealing with this whole issue myself at the moment. The starter I used doesn't have a separate connector for coil power like the stock starter did. It only starts if I bypass the resister, which I also had to get because the original resisted wire is gone it seems. (73 nova) I might rig up a relay controlled by starter solenoid power to supply full power to the coil, but for now plan to hook up a momentary pushbutton to hold while cranking.

[filmart]

The starter solenoid you wired things too, would it be the same for the solenoid attached to the starter itself?

[Don-uzom]

Great video What schematic drawer software do you use on your PC?

[sevennumberss]

Between the battery and the ignition switch/key, how do I find out what size fuse to use? Great video btw.

[nursecuenca]

Learned alot watching your video. I have a 1965 chevy truck that when driving it completely shuts off and it restarts without a problem. I noticed on ignition switch the piggyback terminal to the battery and to radiator fan. That wire looks very comprised like its overheated and cracked. I'm new to cars and have learned so much from videos like yours. Could you please offer me some suggestions. I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[jimprouty]

I tried to respond to your message, I couldn't get thru - so I have a few other questions - I understand the connections for positions are 3 - ignition coil, 6 - starter solenoid, 7 - ground, and 8 - fused power. Would you still put in the resistor in line with the ignition coil? Also what size of fuse would you recommend for the fused power? Sorry for so many questions, but I have one more, that is the wire to the alternator that you talked about in your video, how does that work in your schematic ?

[philkuusisto]

Does the wire from the resistor hook up to the + or - side of the coil?

[jimprouty]

Great video, it helped me out alot. I do have one question. Im redoing my 1976 Chris Craft boat with twin 350's and want to use a (start)-run-stop toggle switch. it's a VMDJ-G66B from New Wire Marine. I cant get it in my head which wires go where. Any suggestions?

[modestofurniture]

Can you tell me what 3 wires and where they hook up to on solenoid