FINALLY GOT IT!!! Ugh, after going through everything it's the one thing I was sure was fine. After troubleshooting and troubleshooting, it was that 2-3 foot wire that went from the coil to the solenoid. Well, I should be able to break in the cam now..Fingers crossed....

William



1957 Ford Fairlane 500

292 Bored .30 over

Fordomatic

Ted, yes thats what i also suggested, a wire seperate from the rest to rule out incorrect connection, if only we were there to help. Does anyone live nearby?

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Apache,

Here is a wiring diagram for the 57 Ford. You can use it to trace the wiring and trouble shoot each circuit. Use the + sign cursor to blow up the diagram to make it easier to read. Also, since you have effectively caused the starter to crank by inadvertently powering up one of the wires on the ignition switch, you have ruled out the solenoid, cables and starter. They will function if given power. Also, the power circuit (yellow wire) for the ignition circuit flows through the headlight switch. You mentioned you have all the other wiring disconnected. If the headlight switch is unplugged try plugging it back in. The red/green run circuit goes to the resistor and then to the coil so make sure you have that connected as well. Hope this helps. You are close.

http://www.tocmp.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring%20diagrams/Ford/MWire5765-195.jpg


Mark Hebard

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

The only thing that makes me think it's not a wire going back to the ignition side of the solenoid is because when hot power is brought to the ign. switch it tries to fire up (without me turning the key)

William



1957 Ford Fairlane 500

292 Bored .30 over

Fordomatic

Is the solenoid adequately grounded?   You might also try running a separate wire on the outside of the vehicle from the ignition switch to the solenoid to rule out a bad wire.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Apache, i would put test lite on back of ign switch and turn key to start and check the terminal becomes live, note the wire color then attach test lite to small wire that goes to solenoid small terminal, hopefully same color and retest for start current as before, if live, try on other small terminal, IF not just bypass everything and run wire from ign switch start terminal round to solenoid and try. Also just try one large jumper lead across solenoid terminals to see if circuit is complete.i.e the starter should spin. There cant be much wrong. Good luck.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

yeah, i just wish i knew where....thats why i listed what i have/what i think its supposed to be. wanna see if i'm wiring it right...i think i am

William



1957 Ford Fairlane 500

292 Bored .30 over

Fordomatic

That points to a mis wired or bad ignition switch if I am reading you correctly. That's sort of what we did to "hot wire" cars we didn't have keys to when I was a juvenile delinquent.



Mark

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Solenoid's perfect, brand new one actually. What kills me is. I disconnected the ignition switch so i oculd check the wiring in the back, checked connections, got nothing...But when i let it go, it leaned against the fuse(hot) on the headlight switch, and tried to crank.....



For those who don't know, i'm just trying to get the wiring down so i can break-the came in. I have the headlights and all the disconnected and whatnot.

William



1957 Ford Fairlane 500

292 Bored .30 over

Fordomatic

Do you have power to the rest of the vehicle? Headlights/Tsignals/fan? If it doesn't, make sure your battery isn't fully dead. If you have power to the rest of the car, put a test light on the ignition start wire and turn the key to start and check to see if the test glows. If not check your battery terminals to be sure they clean down to fresh metal. The same with the inside of the cable ends...clean..and if you are using the aftermarket clamp on cable ends take 'em apart and wire brush any corrosion out of them and the cable wires. Do the same for the neg battery cable to ground (block) connections. If you have power make damn sure the vehicle is actually in neutral. If it somehow starts and it is in a gear it will get dangerous. Next, with the ignition key off, jump the S terminal on the solenoid to the positive battery cable connected to the solenoid and see if it cranks. If it does the problem is in the ignition switch/wiring etc. If not, possible bad starter or solenoid. Hope some of these tips get you on your way.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto