Thread: GM Distributor hook up, Question?

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Ok,got a buddy with a 62 Impala with pionts type distributor.
Wants to change to a new type distributor with the coil on the cap.
One wire comes from the ignition switch is the other wire a ground wire?
thanks Kurt

Originally Posted by vara4

Ok,got a buddy with a 62 Impala with pionts type distributor.
Wants to change to a new type distributor with the coil on the cap.
One wire comes from the ignition switch is the other wire a ground wire?
thanks Kurt

if you're talking about 2 wires on the old coil, one is ign. about 7 volts, and the other one comes from the starter sol. to give the coil 12 volts when the starter is turning. extra voltage for start-ups. with the new dist you need 1, 12 volt wire coming from the ign.

Thanks for the info, guess the other wire was for factory tach.
thanks again. Kurt

Originally Posted by vara4

Thanks for the info, guess the other wire was for factory tach.
thanks again. Kurt

not if its hooked to the + post. tach would go to the - side.

Originally Posted by vara4

Thanks for the info, guess the other wire was for factory tach.
thanks again. Kurt

let me start over then. 2 wires to the + side, one ign. resistor wire, one 12 volt starter wire. 2 wires on the - side, one to the dist. one to the tach.

The only distributor I can think of that has a coil in the cap is the HEI unit. Is that what he's trying to hook up? If so, he'll need a 12 volt source that's controlled by the ignition switch. Neither of the two wires that are hooked to the positive side of the existing coil will work. One is only 12 volts during cranking and the other has it's voltage dropped by a resistor to 6 or 7 volts during continous operation.

Bob

Thanks guys for the help got it the cars running.
The only wire it needed was the ignition switch wire.
The other spot or connector was for a factory tach.
And yes it is a HEI, thanks again Kurt