can anyone help i am installing a hei in my 71 and i have read about running new wire to the ing terminal in the fuse box but there is already a pink/red wire there and it looks like a factory wire . it runs across( under) the dash and up behind the glove box to a switch or something. does anyone know what this is ? the car originally had air but its all gone now is it from the air? and can i splice into it and hook the hei there or is there another place that would be better any help would be great.
thanks andy

Not sure what that is. Maybe Elree Colby knows. Might be able to move it to ACC which is hot when the ignition is on.

John,
I have done two HEI wire conversions from the ign. bulkhead connector, easy squeazy!.

I ran the wire (from Year One) by pushing the resistor wire terminal out of the bulkhead connector (engine side), plug the new one in, and running it to my HEI plug. My car had been original points (70 Chevelle with A/C), with a the previous non-stock HEI 12v suplly just hung off the 12v side of the igniton fuse and ran to the HEI through a ragged hole in the firewall.

On the second one I found the complete HEI wire at NAPA auto parts. We did it on a 65 Chevelle. Same procedure.

Are you sure you have the right wire? Wouldn't a 71 had the cloth covered resistor wire? Do you think this wire has already been replaced and it was being used for some sort of kill switch? That would be my guess.

I'd see if this switch goes anywhere.

DG

is the resistor wire white? it is not fabric covered
thanks

i have followed the wire up in the dash if i am not mistaken it looks like it goes to the heater or a resistance harness of some kind behind the glove box does that sound right?
thanks andy

Not really. Still unsure what that wire goes to.

I’m thinking it’s a pink wire and is IGN feed to the 71 only A/C anti dieseling relays. With no compressor in place you don’t need the wire connected. You can remove it and secure it out of the way.

The easiest way to supply power to the HEI is to, do as you plan, connect to the IGN terminal of the fuse block however I agree with DG It’s not much harder to remove the original resistor wire from the bulkhead connector and install a new wire in its place. You can get a wire with the correct terminals on each end for that purpose. If you do this remember to seal the bulkhead with black silicone to keep water out.

thanks elree
yes it is a pink wire and i figured it was some thing for the heat or ac . hey whats the worst that could happen if i take it out? no air /heat
thanks again
andy

DG,

I am having the same problem as dogma. I don't understand what you mean by 'ignition bulkhead connector'. What is that? How do I identify it?

I have determined (with John Muha's help, among others) that the problem was that my Mallory HEI wasn't getting enough voltage. I got the 12 gauge wire and connector as they suggested, plugged it into the Mallory and connected it to the positive side of the battery and the car fired right up, no problem. So, now I know the problem. Someone during that thread said I should connect the wire to the ignition fuse box and that should fix it. That's where I am now.

Where would I connect this wire to on the fuse box? I've touched it to everything there and it will not fire up. Any suggestions?

Where would I connect this wire to on the fuse box? I've touched it to everything there and it will not fire up. Any suggestions?

The IGN terminal on the fuse block.

John, you are talking about the fuse block inside the car, just above and left of the clutch on the firewall, correct?

If so, all of the markings on mine are gone and I have no idea how to identify the IGN terminal. I noted the earlier postings regarding the pink wire, but mine has several pink wires going to it. Is there an easier way to ID the IGN terminal?

John, you are talking about the fuse block inside the car, just above and left of the clutch on the firewall, correct?

If so, all of the markings on mine are gone and I have no idea how to identify the IGN terminal. I noted the earlier postings regarding the pink wire, but mine has several pink wires going to it. Is there an easier way to ID the IGN terminal?

Use a test light or meter to check the terminals. It's on the right side of the box. IGN is hot only when the key is in the RUN (ON) position. ACC is hot in both the RUN and ACC positions.

John, every one of them is hot when the key is in the RUN position. I'm at a loss here, and I admit it is because I am a TOTAL novice at this stuff. I hope I'm not frustrating you either, but I would really appreciate it if you could give me a quick call to talk me through this. My number is 703-931-4839.

I've been at this for about 5 hours today, and my car has been off the road for over a month due to this. I'd sincerely appreciate it if you could just talk (and walk) me through this.

John, every one of them is hot when the key is in the RUN position. I'm at a loss here, and I admit it is because I am a TOTAL novice at this stuff. I hope I'm not frustrating you either, but I would really appreciate it if you could give me a quick call to talk me through this. My number is 703-931-4839.

I've been at this for about 5 hours today, and my car has been off the road for over a month due to this. I'd sincerely appreciate it if you could just talk (and walk) me through this.
Don't know if you spoke to John but they will all be hot when the key is in RUN. An IGN terminal, that's what your looking for, will ONLY be hot in run. The others are hot in both IGN and ACC, these would be ACC terminals.

John, nevermind. I ran the 12g wire through the junction box in the firewall, found the IGN wire coming off the fuse block (big pink one), spliced into that wire as a test and it worked. I'm now going back down to make it look pretty and put everything all back together.

FYI, I sincerely appreciate you and Hank helping me and the other guys out there who have had this very same HEI wiring issue. Seems like there's a lot of us. Thanks again. -John