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| | | Forums66 Topics128,051 Posts1,055,764 Members48,426 | | 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!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 43 | Ok the 53 Gmc project is about home. It has a 270 installed. The current owner says it might need a new coil and points/condenser. The question I have is with the jimmys being positive ground how is the coil and the above stuff wired? I am prob. making this too hard but that's me some days. Also it may have air over hydraulic brakes I know nothing of these. I can imagine it is like semi brakes of today am I right? Thanks Jay
Jdude
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 268 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 268 | Today's Semi brakes are straight air brakes. Yours is most likely Hydraulic with Hydro-vac booster or Hydraulic with and Air Pack.
Is there an air compressor mounted on the engine just in front of the carb???
As for the coil connections, regardless of the battery ground being Negative or Positive, the hot lead from the ignition switch goes to the plus sign on the coil and the negative sign goes to the distributor.
Dance like no one is watching, Sing like no one is listening, Love like you've never been hurt.
1948 GMC FC101 1/2t Pickup w/270 and SM420 1948 GMC FC253 1t Factory 80"x9' Flatbed Dually 1948 Chevy COE 2 Ton 8'x15' Flatbed 1950 GMC 354-24 2 Ton 8'X12' Flatbed w/Dump Hoist 1953 GMC 454-30 3 Ton 8'x14' Flatbed w/Dump Hoist 1953 GMC 454-30 3 Ton Cab and Chassis 1942 Clarkator 6 MILL-44 Heavy Aircraft Tug 1942 Ford (9N) Moto Tug with 1/2 yard Loader 1947 Oliver OC3 HG-42 Tract-Crawler Bull Dozier w/6' Blade
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 43 | Thanks I haven't got the thing dragged home just yet between dad passing and making room for it. I thought the coil would be the same but after working on newer stuff for 26 years I was wondering. Its prob a air pack I think that's what the guy said. Thanks Jay
Jdude
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy Guys, I'm afraid I have to make a correction to what GMCPic has said about coil primary wiring. Negative ground vehicles are wired ignition to coil positive, and coil negative to the distributor (and ultimatly ground). Positive ground vehicles are wired ignition to coil negative, and coil positive to the distributor, hope that clarifies. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 43 | hmm clear as mud but i just got off work
Jdude
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 33 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 33 | I think the point is that coils are polarized. on a negative ground system the terminal marked + goes to the ignition and the negative side goes to the distributor ( where it is grounded through the points )
on a positive ground system the terminal marked + goes to the distributor where it is "grounded" (to positive)thought the points... and the other side (marked -) will go to the ignition.
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