Ok guys, I took the week off to work on getting my truck up and running. Here it is Thursday, the engine is assembled and ready, turned the switch and nothing, not even headlights. A quick history, I got this truck with the engine taken apart and all the wiring under the hood dissconnected. So I'm working with a puzzle that has no picture to go by.

It's a 300 with an Offenhauser DP and EFI exhaust manifolds and a DUI distributor. So no emissions needed, or wanted, a simple self contained ignition system. I have a lot of wiring connectors that I'm pretty sure I don't need. I've checked my battery at the parts store and it's good. I have the cables and wires connected to the starter replay and everything is grounded. I should at least get headlights or turn signals.

I don't know what I'm missing and I understand this will be hard to troubleshoot without seeing. Can anyone tell me what HAS to be connected?

Thanks!
Ed

Does the ALT for an 86 have an internal or external voltage regulator? I think the PO gave me the wrong ALT.

Ok, since writing this I made progress. I answered my ATL question, internal. The PO cut out a fuse link and replaced it with straight wire, That was confusing. I now have lights and the engine turns over, YA! But when I turn the key off it continues to crank. I think I saw a thread on that problem.

 

Look at the right inner fender just below the starter solenoid. This is where your external voltage regulator connects if you have one. It could have either according to my diagrams.

Make sure you have the main power feeds that hook up to the starter solenoid on the correct post. It should be on the post closest to the battery, or hooked directly to the positve battery post using the starter solenoid lug as a connection via the positive battery cable. If the main power feeds are correct, check the state of the fuseable links.

 

Ok, the PO replace one of the fuse links with a straight piece of wire. That had me confused. Once it was connected I I got power to everything. I had a bad starter replay, replaced that. Now it starts right up, YES! But when I turn the swich off the engine keeps running. I have to pull a battery cable to stop it. The ALT has an internal regulator, it has 2 wiring connectors on it.

Here's a picture. The red/lt blue wire goes to the "S" terminal. The top terminal is the positive battery cable and 2 fuse link connections. One goes to the ALT, the other down a harness that goes around the engine and to the firewall. The bottom terminal is the cable down to the starter. Is this right?

 

I'm not real familiar with the gasser, however that looks and sounds right ...

As for why it won't shut off, I don't believe it has anything to do with the starter relay hook up, more likely the ignition switch, however some else is better qualified to answer then I.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

I GOT IT! I connected my DUI distributor to a constant 12v instead of a switched 12v. Ain't I stupid!
Of course it's going to keep running!

I may still need a voltage regulator. The Battery gauge shoots up when I pump the gas. It sounds like a dragster cause I don't have the muffler hooked up yet. Hey my factory tach works! Found one at the junk yard and installed it per what I learned from you guys and it works great, Thanks!

Just need to finish up, dress up the wires and hoses.

Thank you all!
Ed

 

And ensure your alternator/regulator are working correctly ... We don't want no barbecued members!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Seconded on the no BBQed members remark.

Replace that "straight piece of wire" with the proper fuse link ASAP.

The Ammeter gauge sounds like it's working normally. Is your battery fully charged? If not it would cause what you are describing as the altenator tries to charge the battery. If it is fully charged, then a check of the regulator/altenator would be in good order.

 

Whoops, Missed the fusible link ... That should be a 20a link ???

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Yes, I replaced it first thing this morning. They are listed by gauge and color. This one was the green 14ga fuse link. Bought one at O'Reillys. I might just replace the regulator anyway. I don't like the way it's acting.

Here it is running:
YouTube - IT's ALIVE! My F150 starts up!

 

Sorry, can't do youtube ...

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Do you see it as an embeded window or a link?

 

Your link works finr for me. It sounds and looks like the alt belt is a little loose.

 

Some of us are on dialup and it takes about an hour to download your video.

 

No it's the PS belt. I got it afterwards.

My camera only does AVI's so I used youtube to help with the streaming. The file is 82megs and I don't have anyway to compress it. sorry!

 

Not a problem with the link or video, it's a problem on my end!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~