I’m not sure what to do here wiring wise. My car previously had a Chevy 350 installed by the previous owner. It was wired for an HEI Distributor and a 1 wire alternator. The voltage regulator was removed. The plug/wiring for the alternator is still there but goes to nothing and is taped off. I’ve now dropped in a Buick 455. The 1 wire alternator won’t fit in my bracket and I can’t find one that will. I though about using the internally regulated one from a 76 or so Electra. How would I wire this? I see it requires a plug but where do I run the wires to? Most write ups show people using the voltage regulator wiring but I have none? Also, what do I do with the HEI wiring? I am using a stock points distributor converted to electric so no need for this. This is my first experience with auto electric so I’m sorry if I’m lacking knowledge. So far I’ve replaced both fusible links with new fusible links and used a couple connectors to fix exposed wires.
What electronic conversion did you use for the points distributor? Most require battery voltage anyway, so all you would need to do is cut the HEI connector off and solder or put a crimp on terminal to hook to the + side of the coil. As far as the alternator goes, I would find a 12SI internally regulated alternator, and wire for that. Are the wires for the regulator anywhere to be found? Sometimes, PO's screw things up so bad that the best solution is a new engine wiring harness. http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/alternat.htm
Do you have a manual or wiring diagram? If so, take some time to learn how to read a wiring diagram. If not, Todd sells a nice poster one or you can look on line. That might help with what is required. The 12SI Larry posted above is a great way to go. But - are those crimp connectors on your wiring? You need to water proof those or they will corrode. You might be able to slip some heat shrink tubing over the connector which should help.
See here: http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/replacing-a-fusible-link.325644/ note the heat shrink tubing.
I have a 70 and a 69 manual I bought (car is a 69 and engine is a 70). I’m trying to learn to read the electrical diagrams. I guess my biggest issue to deal with is the “modification” the PO had done to the car. I was planning on using electrical tape over the crimp connectors. I have them sitting out like that because I’ve been working on it. I will look into the heat shrink wrap though. I also bought some conduit to wrap the whole harness in too when I’m finished.
Thanks Larry as always for your help. You’ve helped me out on several threads! I managed to grind a lump off the back of the 10si alternator and it fit in the Buick bracket. So for now I should be good with that. I can’t find any signs of the wires for the regulator but I haven’t had the chance to go through the manual to identify them properly and try and trace them down. I’ll post some pictures of the HEI set up with more information to show what was done by the PO.
The one side of the connection has a blue wire white stripe and a black wire with a yellow stripe. The black/yellow wire is connected into a yellow wire with a clip on the end that’s not connected to anything. The blue wire with white stripe runs to a connection near the AC on the back firewall and is clipped into the firewall there along with other wires.
Then you have this. A green wire which goes to nothing and was left open. A red wire that runs into the harness and was connected into two other red wires. One bring the main fusible link wire and the other being the red wiring running to the alternator.
Here’s the other end of the larger connector. Green wire runs into harness and goes into firewall as shown. Red wire back to the smaller black connector to mate the two connectors. I took a couple over alls as well to help with orientation.
Which year/type harness would be best to get? Car is a 4 speed with AC but was originally a 69 GS350. It now has a 70 455. Still a 4 speed with AC.[/QUOTE]
I agree with Larry. That looks like a rats nest. Check with Todd for the engine harness and recommendation
He also recommended the GS400 harness. Unfortunately it’s not in stock so it will be about 2 weeks until it gets here. I have some other work that still needs finishing on the car though so I can occupy myself with that for the next 2 weeks lol. I’m hoping to be on the road sometime next month. It’s amazing how much extra stuff you end up needing to do with a 455 swap.
