Starting Engine in Chassis Wiring Help

I am planning on firing up my motor to break it in soon and want to do this prior to putting the body back on the frame. This way “IF” (fingers crossed) there are any issues they can be addressed much easier.

I will most likely put the core support back on, along with the radiator for water circulation. There will Be NO wiring harness at all. I am running the factory Points distributor and will pull gas through the factory line with a filtered hose in a gas jug at the rear.

My biggest questions relate to the wiring aspect of doing this and need a little step by step hand holding.

Anything special for the cables to the starter/battery?

How to wire the distributor and do I need a type of resister in place?

Do I pull wires from the starter to the distributor/coil?

Thanks for your help!

Dave

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/Picture_074_2_.jpg

Dave, I did the same thing, what I did was besides the battery cables hooked to block and starter, I had 2 toggle switches on a small piece of plywood, Ran B+ with an inline fuse to the 1st on/off switch. That fed the HEI distributor, elec choke,cooling fan, and also fed the 2nd mometary switch. The 2nd switch ran to the starter. Thats all the wiring I did, It appears you are using a points distributor? If so I would think you would want a resistor in there, but someone should chime in w/more info

Your chasis sure looks good.

You really only need one wire, besides the battery cables. I just started my 406 last week end. I hooked the + cable to the starter, the - to the block. Then ran a wire with aligator clip ends from the + side of the coil to the + side of the battery. Used a remote starter button to crank it and to shut down removed the pwer to the coil. The radiator was just sitting on the ground in front of the frame and I used a cool water from a garden hose on the core to cool it. Ran for 30 minutes with open headers and let my neighbors enjoy the sound of my little small block :D

Dave, sent you an email,
BillL

If you 'hot wire' it, you'd be better off by getting a Ballast resistor for say a '55 chevy and put it in series to your + on the coil. This would save your points (and emulate the resistor wire in your car's harness). I like the idea of the board as a "wiring center'.

And it looks REALLY good!!!

Be sure and prime the oil pump and use the right oil and additives if you have a flat tappet cam. And do "proper" break in................. Also, I'd use plain water rather than have the hassle of catching the antifreeze when your done.

Thanks alot guys.... just what I needed, and Bill your write up was Perfect!

Thanks again, Dave