Installed new '58 Starter But No Juice. Help!

[David B.]

Guys, I just installed a new Delco remanufactured OEM starter in my '58. When I turn the key, though, I get nothing, not even a click. I transferred the wires exactly the way they were on the old noisy starter.

Here's a pic that might help:



Even though this starter (the one on the left) isn't a C1 starter, the solenoid terminals are similar to mine. Forgive my lack of proper nomenclature, but I have the fat red wire connected to the big center terminal. On the right-side small post I have a (what looks like) pink (faded red?) wire connected. On the left small post there are two wires, one with a spade lug and another with a circular connector (like the one on the right.

I don't understand why I have no juice (no lights, horn, turn signals, etc. when the ignition is "On") when the old starter was wired the same way.

Any suggestions to get me back on the road?

Thanks very much, guys.

Dave

[John H.]

Re: Installed new '58 Starter But No Juice. Help!

I have the fat red wire connected to the big center terminal. On the right-side small post I have a (what looks like) pink (faded red?) wire connected. On the left small post there are two wires, one with a spade lug and another with a circular connector (like the one on the right.

Dave -

Your '58 should have the following connections at the starter solenoid:

Big Stud: Battery positive cable and a 12-ga. black wire with a ring terminal on it (main power feed to the whole car).

Inboard small stud ("S" terminal): 14-ga. violet wire with a ring terminal on it (energizes the starter from the "start" position of the ignition switch).

Outboard small stud ("C" or "R" terminal): 18-ga. dark green wire with a ring terminal on it (goes to the coil side of the ballast resistor - feeds 12 volts to the coil when the starter is cranking).

[David B.]

Re: Installed new '58 Starter But No Juice. Help!

John, thank you. Someone else told me that I need two wires connected to the big terminal on the solenoid, the battery cable and a 10 gauge power wire that feeds the wiring harness. This lines up with what you're saying with the exception of wire size.

What is the gauge size of the battery cable?

That spade lug I mentioned seemed way too big for the small post I connected it to. It looks like the right size for the big terminal. Maybe it slipped out from behind the battery cable when I loosened it and I didn't see it.

Are those small terminals marked "S" and "C" (or "R")? I didn't notice any designation.

Thanks again, John.

Dave

[Bill M.]

Re: Installed new '58 Starter But No Juice. Help!

Dave -

Your '58 should have the following connections at the starter solenoid:

Big Stud: Battery positive cable and a 12-ga. black wire with a ring terminal on it (main power feed to the whole car).

Inboard small stud ("S" terminal): 14-ga. violet wire with a ring terminal on it (energizes the starter from the "start" position of the ignition switch).

Outboard small stud ("C" or "R" terminal): 18-ga. dark green wire with a ring terminal on it (goes to the coil side of the ballast resistor - feeds 12 volts to the coil when the starter is cranking).

I have my original '59 starter harness sitting around. Here's a picture of what John is describing. The green wire is taped up; it's green under the tape. The violet wire insulation cracked as I was wiggling it around to fit on the scrap starter!

[David B.]

Re: Installed new '58 Starter But No Juice. Help!

Just wanted to let you know that my problem was that black wire that powers the wire harness. I had it connected to the green-wire post. Duh! I moved it to the center post and va-ROOM! On the road again!

By the way, does anyone have a picture of how that starter bracket installs? I couldn't see a configuration that matches the contour of the bracket.

Finally, my sincere thanks, John and Bill, for your help and patience with know-nothing me. That's why this forum is so great. We who know little can get help from you who know so much. Thanks again, guys.

Dave

[Bill M.]

Re: Installed new '58 Starter But No Juice. Help!

Finally, my sincere thanks, John and Bill, for your help and patience with know-nothing me. That's why this forum is so great. We who know little can get help from you who know so much. Thanks again, guys.

Dave

Glad to help Dave.

I learned by wrenching on my '59; I have a lot of corrections to make that some dumb kid made in the 60s. (I probably would have made them even if the TDB were alive back then.)

Bill