| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,108 Posts1,056,231 Members48,436 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 33 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2009 Posts: 33 | There is a yellow wire coming of the HEI in my 63 GMC (327 engine) Does anyone know where that wire goes to? Does it go to the ignition switch (if so which leg) or does it go to the battery. Thnaks for any help!
Shane Hamilton
Warrensburg Missouri
PS, my truck is close to being road ready for the first time! | | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 117 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2009 Posts: 117 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,216 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,216 | HEI has to have full 12 volts during start and ignition to work at its full potential. It will work with less voltage, but whats the point of that, you want the hottest spark you can get and that requires full voltage.
Theres lots of ways to get there, this is how I like to wire them,
1) use 12 gauge wire, color is your choice
2) one wire from the (R) terminal on the starter solenoid to the (BATT) terminal on the HEI cap
3) one wire from the ignition terminal on the key switch to the (BATT) terminal on the HEI cap
You can splice the wires together at any point up to the cap. Wire from the starter is hot only when the starter is engaged, the second wire becomes hot as the key is switched back to run. Use new wire and limit your connection and splices.
Joe
Last edited by Joe H; 06/18/2009 12:37 AM.
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 117 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2009 Posts: 117 | HEI has to have full 12 volts during start and ignition to work at its full potential. It will work with less voltage, but whats the point of that, you want the hottest spark you can get and that requires full voltage.
Theres lots of ways to get there, this is how I like to wire them,
1) use 12 gauge wire, color is your choice
2) one wire from the (S) terminal on the starter solenoid to the (BATT) terminal on the HEI cap
3) one wire from the ignition terminal on the key switch to the (BATT) terminal on the HEI cap
You can splice the wires together at any point up to the cap. Wire from the starter is hot only when the starter is engaged, the second wire becomes hot as the key is switched back to run. Use new wire and limit your connection and splices.
Joe if you splice the start(s) and ignition together the starter will not stop turning after you let go of the key | | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 33 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2009 Posts: 33 | That is fantastic! Thank you all so much!
Shane
Warrensburg | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 | Theres lots of ways to get there, this is how I like to wire them,
1) use 12 gauge wire, color is your choice
2) one wire from the (S) terminal on the starter solenoid to the (BATT) terminal on the HEI cap
3) one wire from the ignition terminal on the key switch to the (BATT) terminal on the HEI cap
You can splice the wires together at any point up to the cap. Wire from the starter is hot only when the starter is engaged, the second wire becomes hot as the key is switched back to run. Use new wire and limit your connection and splices. huh?? i agree w/ alex i use a 10ga wire and it's a  VERY BAD IDEA  to splice any wires to the HEI !!!
Last edited by carolines truck; 06/18/2009 1:01 AM.
Jim & Caroline
The highway is for gamblers, better use your good sense."
Gooday-that's my 1¢ answer due to the lousy economy ~ cause I ain't got - no . mo . doe
Every Shaver | Now Can Snore | Six More Minutes | Than Before ... | Half A Pound for Half a Dollar | Spread On Thin | Above the Collar || BURMA-SHAVE
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | If you are using a GM factory HEI you need just one 12 gauge wire direct from the ign. term. on the ign. switch to the B. term on the HEI unit. If you are using an aftermarket unit you need the directions from the manufactor. If you hook a tach to it use the tach. term on the hei. A small gauge wire is fine for that.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,216 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,216 | You guys are right, I should have said the (R) terminal on the starter. I went back and changed the post above. Points are wired this way. Sorry for the mistake.
You can use just one wire from the Ignition switch if the terminal stays hot during start, some don't.
Joe
Last edited by Joe H; 06/18/2009 12:40 AM.
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 33 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2009 Posts: 33 | IT WORKED IT WORKED IT WORKED! ThANKS!
Shane | | |
|
|
| |
