identity crisis

[racton]

                I am trying to start my stock 272 and the starter wont crank.I have a new solenoid,and battery.There is a part attached to the coil I am not familiar with.If I can post a pic I will.This small rectangular,perforated(looks like a set of tip cleaners)When the ignition switch is in the on position,this part gets hot.Dead short??   If someone could shed some light on this mystery I would be grateful.The starter turns the motor over if I put a jumper wire from battery to solenoid pole.Thanks

[Ray]

just a guess without a pic, but sounds like an ignition resister. It will get hot if the points are closed and the engine is not running.

[racton]

 :unitedstates:Thanks for the response Ray.Im thinking the same.I helped erect the iron for Huntington beach High school in 1969.Nice meeting you

[djfordmanjack]

It sounds as if your ignition switch wires might be flipped or defective.
yes the part on the coil is the resistor which drops the coil voltage to 9V when the car is running. during starting there is another wire that feeds 12V directly to the coil and makes better spark for tick over. since the starter is generally working you have to check your wire that runs from ignitionswitch to solenoid. you should have 12 V when you turn the key to the full right. check your ignition switch, it's easy to mix up the wires and when I got my 57 it had an additional ignition kill switch, becuase somebody had mixed up the main+, accessories and ignition+ wires on the switch.

[Hoosier Hurricane]

If the car has an automatic trans, the shifter has to be in the Neutral position to start.  It will not crank in Park.  Adjustment of the switch could be off also.   John

[RICH MUISE]

:unitedstates:Thanks for the response Ray.Im thinking the same.I helped erect the iron for Huntington beach High school in 1969.Nice meeting you

HaHa..Richard Acton, another in-common detail....when I moved to Calif in '69 from my home town of Acton, I lived in LA county for two years before I moved to HUNTINGTON BEACH, and bought our first house. (on Hillhead Dr.)
Rich

[hiball3985]

You stated that the solenoid is new, if the two small wires are put back on in reverse the solenoid won't engage. I would start there first..

[racton]

 :unitedstates:thanks fellas,hi-ball called it.The wires were switched on the new solenoid(I installed it).I was also unaware the car wont start in the park position.My first 57 was stick.The engine fired on starting fluid.Ill hook up a can later and buy some tune-up parts.Thanks for the guidance.If i get my butt in gear I might drive to Columbus in June.Thanks again.

[hiball3985]

Good news, we like it when the problems are simple