Electrical question from the Electrically challenged

A

Anglianut

Junior Member
OK, I received a Model A engine and trans in a trade. Most of the wiring is gone. The engine will turn over using the starter. Would like to see if it will run. What other basic electrical connections do I need to run? There is a wire from the bottom of the distributor, and a wire on the positive side of the coil. Neither are connected to anything. I have never worked on a positive ground system so I do not want to fry anything.

Thanks
 
If you are definitely interested in Model A engines & Model A's, best bet may be to first give your location, city & state, so somebody can recommend your calling a nearby Model A parts vendor for a free Model A parts catalog, where you will find a free wiring diagram in the catalog, plus find any parts that may later be needed.
 
Here is the basic wiring diagram, just eliminate everything but what you have. You'll need to know if the coil is 12 or 6V. Someone may have switched it during its life. Not sure how to tell as the impedance is the same I think..... Tom W. anybody?
 

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Connect the battery + to the engine ground, and the battery - to the starter switch.
Run a wire from the starter switch to the output terminal on the cutout.
Run a wire from the starter switch to the coil - terminal.
Run a wire from the coil + to a toggle switch and another from the sw. to the distributor.
Polarize the generator by jumping a wire across the 2 cutout terminals for 1 second.

Now it should be ready to start and run as far as cranking, charging and spark.
If you have an amp meter, you could install that between the generator cutout output terminal and starter terminal. If you don't have the generator connected to a battery it can put out up to 40 volts and burn itself out, so it's output needs to be connected to a battery, or you can ground the output stud, if the generator isn't wired into the circuit.

Ford put the ignition switch between the coil and distributor, but if your coil is now wired to the dist. then you can put the ignition switch between the starter switch and coil - terminal. It doesn't matter which side of the coil primary you switch.
 
Ctlikon / Tom, thanks for the info. Its nice to receive help and not just a visit from the self appointed forum police.
 
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