Guys hope you don't mind all the questions...you guys are the only people I know who knows cars...first time building one.

I put a new summit mini starter in the 396 BB and the old starter had 3 wires, one to the coil, one to the battery and one ground?? Anyway the new starter directions only had instructions for 2 wires and it's supposed to be a direct replacement...thinking the thing is self grounded and doesn't need the ground wire? Help?

What kind of vehicle?
Our chevelles have a yellow bypass wire that runs from the + side of the coil to the starter's "R" terminal to send full 12 volts to the coil only during starter operation.
That wire is needed ONLY if the car still has the old points type distributor.

If needed as above, a diode is also needed to connect it back to the starter's "S" terminal if the new starter has no "R" terminal.

If the old points type distributor is no longer being used, you can either cut it off of the coil + wire or tape it back.

The only ground on the starter is through it's mounting.

Like Dean said, no ground wire. The third wire should be purple and goes the 'S' terminal. This wire is the start wire, goes through neutral safety switch and back to ignition switch.

OK you guys kind of lost me...i have a 66 chevelle and put a 68 396 in, had a 67 327.
I did not buy the distributor, coil and stuff yet.

So...if I buy a distributor and coil with no points I don't need the S wire and tape it off is what you guys are saying? Unfortunitley the new starter doesn't indicate "R" or "S"...thanks Summit. Sound right? Sorry, first timer here.

OK you guys kind of lost me...i have a 66 chevelle and put a 68 396 in, had a 67 327.
I did not buy the distributor, coil and stuff yet.

So...if I buy a distributor and coil with no points I don't need the S wire and tape it off is what you guys are saying? Unfortunitley the new starter doesn't indicate "R" or "S"...thanks Summit. Sound right? Sorry, first timer here.

No... The "S" wire (should be a larger guage Purple-colored wire, if original) comes from the ignition switch... That is needed to start the car...

The large cable comes from the battery...

On a "stock" old Chevelle, the distributor/points only recieved 9 volts, (12-volts with burn the points out prematurely). BUT for easier starting, the "R" terminal (smaller yellow wire) sent 12 volts directly from the starter to the coil during cranking, to make it easier to start (hotter spark).

Since a modern distributor (such as HEI) use a full 12-volts all the time, they do NOT need the additional terminal...

I wouldn't blame Summit, as they might not have spec'd the starter, plus, how many people switch to a mini-starter that haven't already upgraded from their factory points distributor?

OK I get it, don't need the S wire if I get an HEI no points dist and coil. figures I wired the R wire but not a big deal. I am rebuilding the engine from a bare block so figured it needed a starter so i would put a good one in that can handle my compression 10 5 1 ...didn't get to the distributor yet but glad I didn't now that you guys told me this so thank you.

OK I get it, don't need the S wire if I get an HEI no points dist and coil. figures I wired the R wire but not a big deal. I am rebuilding the engine from a bare block so figured it needed a starter so i would put a good one in that can handle my compression 10 5 1 ...didn't get to the distributor yet but glad I didn't now that you guys told me this so thank you.

No, you need the 'S' wire no matter what type of ignition, assuming you want to be able to start the car. You do NOT need the 'R' wire if you have HEI. If you go with HEI just remove the wire from the old starter to the old ignition coil and use the 2 wires that are left.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s228/deancall/Team/OLDNNEW_SOLENOID.jpg

OK got it now...sorry but the picture really made it clear but thank you all.

S

Also...man you guys are good...thanks for going over and above to make it easy.