I have a 69 chevelle ss396/325hp. My problem is a wire that has burned into. Im sure its a wire from the starter solenoid to the coil. I can't really get to the wire so if I run a new wire what guage should I use? also, am I right in that the other solenoid wire runs to the ignition? I thought i could just run a wire from the solenoid straight to the positive terminal of the coil but that wire has two connectors at the coil. Where does this other wire run to. Can anyone help?

Sounds like the wire in question is the one that runs from the "R" terminal to the coil. This wire provides +12v to the coil in during crank only. The other wire on the "+" terminal of the coil is your resistive wire from your igntion switch. This drops the voltage to the coil after the engine starts. This keeps the points from burning out.
The wiring diagram I have shows this to be a 12gauge wire. You should be able to run this yourself. You are right that the other wire (12 gauge purple) goes to your ignition switch- 12V in start position.

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Steve Strasemeier (70SS 396, Fathom Blue/White Stripes)

Steve, are you sure on the guage of wire?

My '70 manual (shouldn't be that different from a '69)

Shows:

Wire from "R" terminal on starter to coil (+) to be a 20 guage, not 12 guage. The purple wire from the key switch is the only 12 guage wire.

Yes I am positive that your right and I'm not. It should be a 20 gauge wire. Thanks for catching that.

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Steve Strasemeier (70SS 396, Fathom Blue/White Stripes)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Steve S:
Sounds like the wire in question is the one that runs from the "R" terminal to the coil. This wire provides +12v to the coil in during crank only. The other wire on the "+" terminal of the coil is your resistive wire from your igntion switch. This drops the voltage to the coil after the engine starts. This keeps the points from burning out.
The wiring diagram I have shows this to be a 12gauge wire. You should be able to run this yourself. You are right that the other wire (12 gauge purple) goes to your ignition switch- 12V in start position.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Steve, thanks for the info. will run the 20 guage wire and try to get her started.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Coppertop:
Steve, are you sure on the guage of wire?

My '70 manual (shouldn't be that different from a '69)

Shows:

Wire from "R" terminal on starter to coil (+) to be a 20 guage, not 12 guage. The purple wire from the key switch is the only 12 guage wire.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>thanks coppertop! will run the 20 guage and try to get her started.