1978 f150 originally 302. Switched to an 86 351w. Alternator is getting power. Solenoid is getting power. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to wire in my starter and where to start my distributor wiring from because I have switched to an Hei model and can bypassed the ignition module. I have some photos available if someone thinks they can help.

 

Send some pics, lots of people here that can help.

 

Not an expert, but hei stuff I found pretty easy, here is a quote.

the terminal on the cap that is labeled "+" goes to a switched 12Vdc source that is hot in start and run. The terminal that is marked "-" or "tach" goes to the tachometer. Do not ground this wire, if you have no tach, don't hook it up. The two wires coming out of the dizzy body should have a plastic molex type connector, and plugs in directly behind the "+" and "-" wires. It there is no connector on it anymore, then w/o pulling things apart a bit, it is anyones guess which one is which.


As for the starter, it should wire up exactly the same as your old one did.

 

Biggest problem I can see with the HEI module, is getting a source that's hot in start and run.

The original Module has two hot wires going to it.
32 Red-Blue Hot in Start and also activates the starter solenoid/relay
732 White Hot in Run.

I would cut the plugs off the Old ignition module and wire it to a couple Diodes and maybe a relay to power the HEI module.

Studying the schematics, there is no single wire that's hot in Start and Run.

 

Your starter solenoid should have an 'I' post. Run a wire from this to the HEI. This will allow power to HEI during starter run. Run a 12v line that is tied into the 'RUN' circuit(can be tapped from existing power lines or added as a dedicated line). Tie both of these lines together to go to the HEI. This should allow your unit to work.


There is a 12v RUN and IGN wire that supplies the old ignition module. These can be used also.

 

That would work! Follows the KISS principle too!

Alternatively, you can dig into the cabin wire harness and remove the Ballast Resistor Wire and put in a 14g wire and 15 Amp inline fuse (to be safe) and then wire only that 'I' wire to the HEI unit.

16 Red-Green goes from the 'I' terminal to the Ignition coil + terminal. There's a connector, C220 which is Grey and located "Engine Compartment, Center Near Dash".

edit: if the resistor wire is removed, you cannot use the original coil... hmm...

 

Doesn't the HEI have its own coil built in?

 

HEI does have it's own Coil.

And, I've seen mods where you can use just the HEI module to replace the Ford ignition module. I just don't know enough about the module to say how it drives the coil.

Now that I think about it, 84espy suggestion would also do the same thing my circuit suggestions would do. Send full voltage to the coil + positive terminal which would cook a stock ford ignition coil.

 

I found one of the two wires that enter the black wire loom in this picture to be "key-hot" in the start and run position. I used it to trigger a relay I mounted to the inner fender to pipe 12v directly from the battery with a thicker wire to the HEI. I believe the trigger wire to be RED or PINK with a WHITE stripe. I'd have to look closer. I'm at work now and only have a few pics available to me to look at. I left all the wires on the starter solenoid essentially factory.