[DrewC]

Our 72 Malibu had an MSD 'dial-in' set-up. I removed it to get it back to just the coil. My problem is, there are NO wires connected to/from the starter or from the firewall of the old set-up. How do I accomplish this? I'm a novice!

 

[DG]

Uh,...I'm not sure if you can go back to a coil, if you are using an HEI distributor.

Why did you remove the MSD box in the first place?

 

[DrewC]

No HEI installed. The guy I bought the car from installed the MSD unit. I want to get it back to stock - this is for a 17 year old. Anyway, I recently discovered that there are NO wires connected to the starter - that's one issue. My other issue is trying to figure out what wires go from where to where. I have recently bought a wiring diagram from Groun Up... I was hoping some one could be a little more descriptive.

 

[d1_bradley]

On the starter, you will have the BIG cable from the battery, a 14ga purple wire on the small post next to the engine (which should still be there) and 'another' small post towards the frame. Run a 16ga yellow wire from the post towards the frame to the + side of the coil. (This provides a full +12VDC during cranking) There should also be a 'resistor' wire (white fabric covered) that goes to the + side of the coil. If the resistor wire has been removed, you will need a ballast resistor. You can get one for a '57 or so Chevy at any parts store. It would be sourced from the IGN terminal on the fuse box, then a white wire from the other side of the resistor to the + side of the coil. This provides a reduced voltage while in RUN mode.

 

[DrewC]

This is the type of info I was looking for. But where does the purple wire connect to? (Believe me, it's not there). My next question is this, because I am planning to convert the 'sweep' dash to gauges, I realize I'll have to change the dash harness and the engine harness, would a new engine harness incorporate the resistor wire needed or this a totally separate connection? Thanks again!

 

[Dean]

Purple wire comes from the ignition switch, through the neutral safety switch, along the wire gutter on the firewall, down to the starter "S" terminal.