Unfused IGN to HEI question
 

Is there already a wire going from the unfused IGN to the engine compartment? There's one on my truck so I just plugged it into the new HEI(I figured the previous owner had wired it up in anticipation of getting an HEI). When I crunk it up and drove it I noticed an extreme loss of power. THe engine just seems to have no power and it keeps backfiring and shutting off. I removed the distributor earlier today, so it might not be in the right position, but I was wondering if maybe that wire had something to do with it.

I always run a new one from the fuse panel, making sure it is hot on ignition and start. (maybe a overkill but i use a 10 gage wire) Never had any trouble at all.

The old wire is prolly a resistor wire. You MUST get rid of it. The HEI requires 12 Volts at all times.

Complete instructions here.



Click here for HEI instructions

Well I adjusted the timing and a few other things and the truck cranked right up and drove fine. I'm guessing that 10g wire from the unfused terminal was put on there in anticipation of getting an HEI, but the previous owner just never got around to finishing the job. Would the truck run if the wire was the resistor type cause the truck ran great after I messed with the timing.

If it is added from the last owner, it is probably not a resistor wire.
Yes it would run with a resister wire, just not to full potental.

I'm not 100% sure the previous owner put it on. Would a resistor wire be 10g?

Most likely not. You should be ok.