what gauge wire for points to HEI distributor swap?

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by andysam, Nov 2, 2018.

  1. andysam

    andysam Well-Known Member

    I am converting from points to big cap HEI. I understand that I need to disconnect the current 'resistor' wire from the fuse block and run a new regular wire. Do I need to run it from the fuse block to the distributor or can I simply find an 'ignition on' hot wire in the engine compartment and splice into it? Also, what gauge should it be? 18? 16?

    Last question, I thought that the resistor wire was an orange/white/purple wire, but I can't find any wire that color. I do see a wire that has a kind of cloth like outer on it, not like a normal plastic outer like most wires have, but it is tan color. What is that wire for?
     
  2. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Correct way to do it is with a 30amp relay
    12ga to distributor, 12ga from the battery, 14 or16ga trigger wire, 12 or 14 ground. I like to over gauge the wire myself

    You can use the pink original coil wire as the trigger wire
     
  3. andysam

    andysam Well-Known Member

    How do identify the resistor wire to disconnect it? Also, do I disconnect it from under the hood or in the car under the steering column?
     
  4. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    It is the wire that went to the + terminal on the stock coil. I would mount to relay on the engine side myself, just easier to service if needed imo
     
  5. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

  6. andysam

    andysam Well-Known Member

    My issue is 2 fold. 1) I pulled the busted 350 out and set the 455 in the car 2 years ago but didnt get around to reconnecting any of the wires till now. So, I don't remember which wire was on the + side of the original coil. 2) there are many cut/spliced wires on the loom. The wire that has two connectors on it, I think that went to the coil.

    The second picture that shows several thick gauge wires on it, I assume that goes to the starter, right?
    IMG_6362.JPG IMG_6361.JPG
     
  7. andysam

    andysam Well-Known Member

    On image 68-37, what does the batter ground strap go to? Does it go straight from the battery to the cylinder head? Is that the only ground cable the battery is supposed to have? My car had a ground cable that went from the battery to the air compressor and another one that went from the battery to the quarter panel.

    https://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/71_chassis/files/68-b.php
     
  8. Schurkey

    Schurkey Silver Level contributor

    GM used 12-gauge wire from fuse block connector to HEI "BAT" terminal. A person can buy a similar wire, having the correct ends, from aftermarket sources. Or go to a salvage yard, and pull the wire out of the harness. (Lots of labor for that.)

    When it was me, I just tapped a 12-gauge wire into the fuseblock "IGN" slot, powered in "Run" and in "Crank", but not powered in "Accessory" or "Off". Routed the wire through a grommet-protected hole in the firewall, and plugged into the HEI terminal using a normal female-blade crimp-on terminal.

    Ideally, you'd get a factory service manual complete with wiring diagrams for your vehicle.
     
    Waterboy likes this.
  9. LARRY70GS

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

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