Help with mini-starter install

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Nov 18, 2006 | 02:43 PM

foundvettelifeisgood

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 2,119

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From: Pittsburgh PA

Help with mini-starter install

The stock starter on my 72 has 3 wires other than the battery cable. One joins the battery cable on the big terminal. The other 2 are small wires going to 2 small terminals on the starter on either side of the big terminal.

The mini starter and its directions only speak of 2 wires. One for one of the 2 big terminals on the mini-starter, and one for the small spade terminal.

Where does the third wire on the stock loom get connected to the mini-starter???

Thanks.

Nov 18, 2006 | 02:52 PM

Twin_Turbo

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Joined: Dec 1999

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The 3 wires on a stock starter are the big 12v one, 1 small one to the s terminal, this one is wired to the switch on the column, the other one is on the R terminal, this one is only used if you have points (or points replacement electronic setup) it'll put 12v on the coil during starting to compensate for the voltage drop during cranking, without it the coil voltage may drop too low to get the car to start.

You mini starter only has the big and the s terminal.
If you really need the 12v during cranking (as in you are running points or a unlite or other point replacement setup with external coil) you should install a relay that is switched off the starter switch and let it send 12v to the coil durig cranking

Nov 18, 2006 | 04:41 PM

lvrpool32

Safety Car

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 3,637

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From: Norwalk Ct

You can also buy a "diode kit" from powermaster or jegs. All it does is send a full 12v signal to the coil for starting, pulling it from one of the larger terminals on the starter solenoid, the diode stops it from "back feeding' once the engine is running.However its $20 and you can make the same thing for $2 from radioshack.
Go to the powermaster website and they give you pretty good instructions as to how to do it, I followed them and had no issues.
If you have trouble finding the diodes let me know...I can send you some.

Nick

Nov 18, 2006 | 06:28 PM

foundvettelifeisgood

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 2,119

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From: Pittsburgh PA

I have a Mallory breakerless distributor, so should I leave this wire that runs to the coil disconnected at the starter? If so, should I disconnect it from the coil as well?

Probably dumb questions, but car electric is not my forte. Thanks a lot.

Nov 18, 2006 | 06:37 PM

Gordonm

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Joined: Dec 1999

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From: Forked River NJ

Yes you can set this wire aside. I have mine just tapped up in the harness. Also you can take it off the coil. Not needed with a breakerless ignition.

Nov 18, 2006 | 08:11 PM

cardo0

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 7,098

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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordonm

Yes you can set this wire aside. I have mine just tapped up in the harness. Also you can take it off the coil. Not needed with a breakerless ignition.

Just clip off the terminal lug and tape it back with electrical tape. Then disconnect it at the coil also - same drill. This is a small gauge yellow wire on my '74.

Mini starter is gear driven and a smaller electrical load. The coil wire does increase the the ignition voltage to full batt voltage - as wired stock. And some hot-rodders even relay this coil wire to a limit switch on the throttle - engages full batt volts to ign when gas pedal floored.

But if u feel u still need max volts when cranking then u would need to install a relay that will pick-up when starter cranks and pass the full batt volts from the heavy gauge batt cable.

Good luck.
cardo0