help verify starter connections
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 126
From: Mequon WI
help verify starter connections
I'm not great at reading wire diagrams, even my own. I think I have my '78 starter wire connections correct but would sure appreciate a second opinion. The single wire is supposed to be purple. Mine looks more pink but I think that is just age and exposure. Not visible is the black heavy cable from the battery just behind the two combined red wires connected to the top brass terminal.
In the second picture, I have the black wire, which I think is a ground, connected to the starter mounting bolt. Is this correct?
In the second picture, I have the black wire, which I think is a ground, connected to the starter mounting bolt. Is this correct?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 126
From: Mequon WI
Thanks KapsSA. I didn't think the ground wire belonged on the starter mounting bolt. Changed it to the bell housing like you show.
FWIW you help me out a lot more than you know. I always search under your name for answers first. Sometime, the threads are so old the pictures are no longer available. So I guess you have been helping guys like me for a long time.
FWIW you help me out a lot more than you know. I always search under your name for answers first. Sometime, the threads are so old the pictures are no longer available. So I guess you have been helping guys like me for a long time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
The large black wire should be the positive 12vdc cable that comes direct from the battery. It should be connected to the top stud on the starter solenoid, along with the red pair (outgoing 12vdc lines). The negative (ground) should be a large wire that runs from the right side frame to one of the right side engine mount bolts (along with the front bracket for the starter).
If you connect the battery with that large black wire connected to a grounding point, you will have ABUNDANT sparks...or maybe melting wire....or fire....
If you connect the battery with that large black wire connected to a grounding point, you will have ABUNDANT sparks...or maybe melting wire....or fire....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
The large black wire should be the positive 12vdc cable that comes direct from the battery. It should be connected to the top stud on the starter solenoid, along with the red pair (outgoing 12vdc lines). The negative (ground) should be a large wire that runs from the right side frame to one of the right side engine mount bolts (along with the front bracket for the starter).
If you connect the battery with that large black wire connected to a grounding point, you will have ABUNDANT sparks...or maybe melting wire....or fire....
If you connect the battery with that large black wire connected to a grounding point, you will have ABUNDANT sparks...or maybe melting wire....or fire....
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
If I use a pic in any thread I pretty much make sure I retain the pic in my photobucket.
OLD thread had pics from "village photos", I guess out of business. I lost a bunch of pics I didn't have backed up
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Yes. I can see the 90* lug that is on the end of the positive cable under the outgoing power wires. When I looked at it last night, I didn't see the cable itself and concluded that it wasn't attached. Wanted to make sure the OP didn't have a catastrophe!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 126
From: Mequon WI
Thanks to all. There are two ground wires in that vicinity. My pictures do not show the large heavy ground from the block to the frame. You have to look real close to see the lug from the battery cable connected behind the red wires.
I will take all the advice I can get! I really hope to connect the battery soon and have nothing happen. Until I turn the key. Then I hope to hear the starter and in a few seconds the engine running. Thanks to you guys I know I have the starter hooked up correctly!
I will take all the advice I can get! I really hope to connect the battery soon and have nothing happen. Until I turn the key. Then I hope to hear the starter and in a few seconds the engine running. Thanks to you guys I know I have the starter hooked up correctly!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
For good starting, you MUST have the large ground wire running from the frame to the right motor mount bolt that also holds the front starter bracket. That gets battery (-) directly to the starter housing.