Any electrical guru's here for a 64 Skylark

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by jonnytsunami15, Feb 17, 2019.

  1. jonnytsunami15

    jonnytsunami15 Active Member

    So I just recently got a 64 skylark with a 300 small block and when I popped the hood I almost threw up. Due to seeing a motorcraft ignition module bolted to the fire wall. So not wanting to play with someones hack job of a wiring harness I got a new one, my friend told me the wiring harness should be the same up to 66. I found a brand new M&H wiring harness for a 66 on ebay for 40 bucks. I just got done wiring it in and go to plug it in and the connectors dont match(plus the guy I bought the car from said it wouldn't crank I get underneath the car to wire up the starter and its not there. Its in the trunk and missing the bolts and shims. SMH). Sorry for the long story but my question is, is the wiring at the fire wall different between a 64 and a 66? Can I just repin the old connector or did I just not have it facing the wright direction?
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Pictures of what you have might help. The engine wiring harness should plug in at the firewall harness connector. Then it is just a matter of connecting everything. The starter wiring is pretty simple. The positive battery cable and the two main feed wires go onto the big lug on the starter solenoid. There is a purple wire that goes onto the "S" terminal. The other small terminal gets a yellow wire. That is the "R" terminal and is necessary for a points ignition. Below is a diagram from a 70's chassis manual, but the 64 has to be similar if not the same.

    solenoidwiring.jpg
     
  3. Golden Oldie 65

    Golden Oldie 65 Well-Known Member

    I've got a factory service manual for `64 Buicks that includes the Skylark. I posted in the parts for sale section awhile back, I think for $20 plus shipping. Can't remember exactly, but no one responded, so if you want it for just the shipping cost you can have it. It will have all the wiring diagrams in it as well as a wealth of other information you might need someday. Might as well go to someone who can use it.
     
  4. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    You would be better off to get with Todd here on the forum and get the correct harness, your only out 40 bucks at this point, consider that an education
     
    Smartin likes this.
  5. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

    Definitely get yourself a chassis manual. You can't beat the deal Bill offered you either! And he's a great guy to deal with to boot!
    Good luck with your project!
     
  6. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Welcome Johnny! Just dove into a '64 Special myself and pulled the V6/3 on the tree out and a 455/4 speed is going in. Get the book from Bill... Hi Bill, I was gonna call some of you guys from Kane Co. today but got snowed out at Kenosha and went home... One day pal, and you too Jon!. Hi Mike! Enjoy the sun.!!

    So the 64 is a lot different than the 68-72 models. It doesnt have the fusible links for the electrical system at the starter, only a bi-metalic cut out at the headlight switch. Mine is a base model with like 6 fuses. Really basic stuff up there. I cant vouch for the 64-66 similarities or differences, but get the book. My 64 is like working on lawn mower versus an airplane.

    If you PM me with your email, I can provide a ton of pics as I moved along. You cant post pics on PMs here(!) I also have the correct starter bolts for you. Read the "Out on a Lark" thred that I post to every few days on my time capsule project. Bill

    z65.jpg

    z66.jpg

    z24.jpg

    z36.jpg

    z121.jpg

    z22.jpg

    z84.jpg
     
  7. 197064buickspec

    197064buickspec 1964 Special Post-455

    1966 wire harness is different. 64 one year only plug at the firewall and us also 1965 is a one year only plug.
     
  8. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

    The body service manual and assembly manual is also helpful. I have all three and have used them all.
     
  9. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

    Ive got the shop manual for the 64 and all 3 for the 72. If anyone ever finds another reasonably priced BSM(!) and AM books, Im in! ws
     
  10. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

    I got all of mine off flea bay. Got decent prices for them. Some are priced reasonable some are not. My chassis manual and body manual are original GM books, I've never found an original '64 assembly manual, just reprints, but the info is mostly there. Mine is just 300+ copied pages with holes punched for a notebook. Print is a little hard to read in places. It would be nice to find the GM assembly manual.
     
  11. jonnytsunami15

    jonnytsunami15 Active Member

    thanks for the information guys really help. and is there no digital manuals people upload on this sight. In my nova forum we have tons of manuals and pdf files for parts and books on novas?
     
  12. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

    Some of the manuals are available on a disc format. I don't know if they are down loadable. I have the chassis manual on a disc that my brother in law got for me, but I prefer turning pages.
     
  13. yachtsmanbill

    yachtsmanbill Well-Known Member

  14. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    There is on teambuick.com, but only for 1952, 57 60, 66, 67, 71, and 75.

    https://www.teambuick.com/reference/index.php
     
  15. jonnytsunami15

    jonnytsunami15 Active Member

    sorry works been crazy. i just got done repinning the old connector just have one wire im confused about. maybe its different from the 66. but now when i turn the key nothing but when i do the Gone in 60 seconds trick of the red and green wire she cranks for days. could it be the neutral safety switch(i put in a new ignition switch the old one was getting stuck with the old key). I cant find my digital multi meter so i'm out of luck till the store opens in a few hours.
     
  16. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Which wire are you confused about? What color is it and where does it go? What red wire? What green wire?
     
  17. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    If its a automagic trans with a column shifter, try moving the shifter while turning the key to search for the N/S switch deactivation spot on the shifter.

    Try moving the shifter around park and neutral to see if you can get the starter to spin.

    On one of my '64 Skylarks the starter some times wouldn't crank when turning the key(no N/S switch problems with it), I found that if I moved around the wires under the dash coming off the steering column the starter would crank afterwards.(stupid old wiring!)
     
  18. jonnytsunami15

    jonnytsunami15 Active Member

    okay ill try that the wiring on this car is so annoying some times lol and @buick64203 what i ment was that i know that green and red hot wires the car i just cant get it to crank when i turn the key
     
  19. jonnytsunami15

    jonnytsunami15 Active Member

    So a little up date I got it cranking but dont have spark. Got spark at the coil but not at the plugs i think this is the original distributor and the looks like the old points are toast so I am going to start there. Is hei a possible to replace point on this motor?
     
  20. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    If you have spark at the coil, and not at the plugs, then it has to be the rotor or cap.
     

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