Electrical: Internal Distributor wiring

[dclewallen]

I'm trying to start the 289 in my 53 Starliner. Since I last worked on it the internals of the distributor got removed [points, condenser, wires] pretty much everything under the cap except the vacuum advance stuff. Its a 53 Delco type dist. 6 volt positive ground converted to 12 volt neg. ground. I'm looking for a diagram so I can replace everything. I have the shop manual but the photos aren't very clear and have wires crossing each other and in black and white it's confusing. Thanks for any help, dclewallen

[StudeRich]

Darryl, this is the very common early Delco used in all V-8 Studes. from 1953 to '58, '59 Larks and to '60/'61 in Hawks.

I only remember there being the special very soft flexable copper with cloth insulation wire #1 from the case mounted Coil (-) Term. (for 12V) wire mounting grommet to the points.

The other wire #2 goes from the breaker plate mounting screw in the case and connects to the vacuum advance screw in the breaker plate for the case ground.

One of these two wires probably the Points wire, goes through a plastic loop to hold it to the breaker plate.

The Condensor will have it's own wire to the points.

Be sure to check for a good solid carbon rod in the Rotor that connects to the brass contact that touches the spark plug wire terms. in the Dist. Cap.
A good quality North American made new Rotor may be required.

[Mike Van Veghten]

Rich is correct.
6 volt - 12 volt - pos. grd. - neg. grd. - everything is the same.

1. Internal ground wire. Dist. body to point plate.
2. Condensor wire. From the condensor to the points.
3. Power wire. from the coil to the points.

That's it for a point driven distributor.

Mike

[dclewallen]

Thanks guys, I know it may seem simple thing but I haven't fooled with these things in quite awhile. Thanks alot for the help, dclewallen