The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Wiring 53 3100 to run with just the frame

I need help understanding how to wire my 53 3100 to run with just the frame, no body. This is a frame up restoration with a freshly rebuilt 1961 235 that I want to see run before I start putting the body back on. I bought the truck with the following configurarion.
-1961 235 stock with stomp type 6 volt starter
-Pertronix Igniter II HEI instead of points and condenser
-Pertronix Igniter II internal resistor coil
-Converted to 12 volt
-Delco Remy 895 relay on the firewall wired as follows (this is how original owner had wired)
-#1 goes to + on coil
-#2 goes to + on coil
-#3 goes to starter under the switch and only gets power when starter is engaged

It ran find before the restoration started but I don't understand why I need this relay unless it is to protect the Petronix HEI ignition. I've never seen this setup on any other truck with a similar configuration.

Pictures help. Relay on the firewall before restoration started (above heater hoses).
Relay on firewall
Closeup of relay on firewall

Relay wired back as it was but without the body on the truck.
Wired during restoration

I would like to keep this simple without burning down the truck. I have all the shop and wiring manuals but there is no mention of this relay. Any help is appreciated.

Don't know what that is, but I doubt it is original to the truck. What makes you think it is a 6 volt starter? It will work with 12 volts just spin a little faster. Disconnect those wires from the coil and run a wire from + terminal on battery to that side of the coil. (Maybe use an alligator clip) because the engine won't stop if you don't disconnect the battery. leave the red wire that goes to the dist on like it is in the pictures. Step on the starter and it should run.

I don't have any idea why a relay would be called for in this scenario, but I would get rid of it and just run a a wire directly from the ignition switch to the ballast resister then to the coil when you put the truck back together.
Is this a fresh rebuild with a new cam and lifters with zero hours on it?
If so, you will need to pull the distributor, prime the oil system through the distributor hole, then reinstall the distributor. Then you will need to start the engine and immediately run the engine at 2,000 RPM for 20 minutes to break in the cam.
I recently did what you are getting ready to do. I used the gauge cluster and hooked it up so I could monitor oil pressure and temperature during this critical nerve racking break in procedure.
I used a small plastic boat fuel tank including the priming bulb for fuel supply.
You will want to rig a way to quickly disconnect power to the coil so you can shut the engine down should something goes south on you.
Carl
.,

1. Get rid of the Pertronix stuff
2. Throw it away
3. Can't you get a solenoid starter for a 61?
4. Use points and a 12V coil and a ballast resistor and get rid of all that Pertronix stuff. Some installations of pertronix leave the point system in place. Conversion back to points should be easy.
5. Terminate the build until you do 1 thru 4.
6. Forgive me, but, a 53 with 61 motor? pertronix? stomp starter? Relays? Which direction are you going with this? Back to the future?
7. I won't ask you what charging system you have.......yet.
8. We will help you if you want to clean up the ignition.
9. The only relay you may need is for the horn.
10. Disconnect the relay. If you don't understand how a pertronix is supposed to be wired, I'm with you on that. But it means you are asking for trouble. The PO was a mad scientist and was using the relay switching on coil and distributor both. Don't get it right now.

Is there a ballast resistor on a 53? Don't see it on firewall?


I'm not up on pertronix wiring so this is without that. Normally with a points dizzy, to just foot start it with no need for charging circuit, you run a pos wire from battery to ignition switch battery terminal. Run a wire from ignition switch "ON" terminal to positive coil terminal, usually thru a ballast resistor first. That's it. Of course you need a cable from battery post to starter and from battery negative to motor. Many foot starts have a side terminal wire to pos coil also. Not sure about 53.

The Pertronix website has wiring illustration for various starting circuits - with/without external ballast, external resistor or resistor coil. If you cannot find it/them, post back here.

http://www.pertronix.com/support/instructions/default.aspx