51 Merc basic start up wiring

hoffernsp

hoffernsp

Member
Help!! Getting ready to start the 51 Merc. Wiring is the old original cotton? fiber wrap and in really bad shape with crumbling bare wires galore. If a person wants to just start the engine without anything else, what are the basic circuits/connections that are critical for starting?
thanks
keith
 
Do you want to just jig something up or use the existing components in your car? You need a starter circuit and an ignition circuit.
 
JSeery said:
Do you want to just jig something up or use the existing components in your car? You need a starter circuit and an ignition circuit.
Click to expand...

Yes and no. Right now I can turn over the engine with the starter using the "button" on the solenoid (nice option on the Ford solenoid compared to Chevy/Dodge) bypassing the keyed ignition. But to actually fire up the engine I need to go through the ignition switch and get power to the distributor/coil?
So yes jig to isolate the circuit to start the engine without involving the total circuit.
Does this make sense?
 
Yep, it can be as simple as a jumper wire from the hot side of the starter solenoid. A better setup up would be the same wire with a toggle switch to make it easer to turn the ignition on/off. More complicated would be a wire from the solenoid to the ignition key and then a wire from the key to the coil. With any approach be careful how long you leave the ignition circuit turned on without the engine running.
 
CAUTION! If you have a Merc-O-Matic, make sure it's in neutral before attempting to start with jerry-rigged wiring.
 
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