okokok... ignition coil?

Am getting ready to rewire Red Death... posted spaghetti type wiring job (which finally ate itself) bestowed upon my poor, unwitting maro by previous owner in another post several months back. You can sort of tell in this pic... but it is already half out of there... was MUCH worse.

Anyhoo, I have the dash ripped out... which some total TOOL painted blue (had a cap on it, and I am in the process on locating some naugahyde to cover it with).... WHICH by the way was a freaking AC dash, so now I have a huge hole to fill in too. DAMMIT! :banghead:

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6395/reddeathbluedashts0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I now need to know what wire is the ignition coil wire... I have an Accel distributor with a Super HEI (PN 140003) on it, mated to an MSD 6AL ignition box. I don't think there is a separate "ignition coil". I printed the MSD 6AL instructions and the pic below is of the set-up I THINK I have. I think it can only be the yellow wire coming out of the MSD box, The orange or black wire coming out of the distributor HEI module, or the red wire that goes from the MSD box to the ignition siwtch in the wiring harness on the steering column. (Wrapped in black tape - beneath yellow wire on MSD box).

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6047/distributorandmsdxf0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/1743/msdinstructionstc3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I hope you can see the instructions, but the way I'm looking at it, the RED wire coming off the MSD box that goes into the "key connector" & car wiring harness (bottom right corner) is the ignition coil wire.

One thing that is throwing me off, is that someone told me to unhook the coil wire from the distributor when doing a compression test. If the red wire from the msd box is the coil wire, then WTF? Also, how does the engine turn over for a compression test if the power to the ignition switch is disconnected???

I'm confused. HELP PLEASE!!!

Jim, what they mean by disconnecting the coil wire while compression testing is the battery positve side on the cap, that way the motor does'nt start during hte test, no fire.

However, I think you're assumption is correct, the harness feed marked coil should then probably go to the red MSD wire since it's the ignition feed. That's assuming when all hooked the "coil" harness wire will then feed 12V to the MSd, which in turn will feed 12V to the dist.

Jim, what they mean by disconnecting the coil wire while compression testing is the battery positve side on the cap, that way the motor does'nt start during hte test, no fire.

However, I think you're assumption is correct, the harness feed marked coil should then probably go to the red MSD wire since it's the ignition feed. That's assuming when all hooked the "coil" harness wire will then feed 12V to the MSd, which in turn will feed 12V to the dist.

With you on the second paragraph - that's how it looks like it's supposed to work from the harness intallation diagram and the actual harness.

But as for the first... What is the "battery positive side on the cap?" Unplug either the black or orange wire coming out of the distributor, whichever is the power (hot) wire???

Unplug either the black or orange wire coming out of the distributor, whichever is the power (hot) wire???

bingo :thumbsup:

Thanks, but one more...

Can I figure out which wire is the hot wire with a test light, or will they both have power? Or do I try to find an Accel installation manual that has more detail???

(If you go near the distributor while the engine is running... that's bad right?)

No key on engine off, only one will have 12v at the dist. cinnector, the tach works off the neg. ground feed.

I think I got it now, thanks. I'm gonna hafta mail you a case of beer or something.

haha, good luck with that one.

Actually that spawns a brainstorm, I think I'll have to have TS change my user level to Will give advice for BEER

In that case you got one coming from me to, How's a Keg? :)

In that case you got one coming from me to, How's a Keg? :)

Damn, I still got 3 empties to get rid of.... :shakehead

Heh, looks like Joshua is looking to pre-pay for future advice... only has 4 posts.

And Dylan, last time I checked (which I will shamefully admit has been a LONG time ago) the refund on empty kegs was worth the trouble of bringing them back.

And Josh, you make it a keg of Lager, and I'll come up with all sorts of advice...

yeah I know, we were supposed to take one in for the the keg we just got for the 4th of July cookout which would be #3. And on the pre-pay ticket it stated perfectly "must bring core". Still have the other 2 waiting to be gone. :dunno: