Starting issue! Plz help!

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arstinince

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I'm having some problems with my 66 Lemans and I was hoping someone could shed some light on this for me. I recently installed a Chevy 383 (I'm sorry!) in there with a two post mini starter. When I turn the key to start the engine, the pinion in the starter comes about half way out, doesn't turn, and never makes contact with the flexplate. To test the starter, I shorted the switch wire with the main power to the starter and it engaged and turned the engine just fine. I'm baffled haha. The ignition was working before this engine swap, but since, I've installed an msd distributor, msd 6al box, new msd ignition coil, and a new internally regulated alternator (I rewired the external regulator to remove it from the circuit). I've removed the ballast resistors from the ignition circuit and connected the 12v feed directly to the msd box. Also, the starter has three wires presently, the switch wire, the main battery cable, and the wire that goes to the car/alternator (the last two are connected to the same post). I hope this is enough information! Thanks in advance for any help!
 
what manufacturer starter and do you have a link to their instructions? what voltage are you getting at the starter when you turn the key to start?
 
Thanks for your reply Mel! Good questions. I'm going to check voltage at the switch tonight. The manufacturer is also a mystery. I didn't purchase the starter unfortunately. It came with the engine, but I can call the person who built it and ask him. I just looked on Google for general wiring on a two prong mini-starter when I did the installation. I'll check voltage on the switch terminal when I get home from work and post it immediately. I do know that it's getting 12.4 or so at the main post. There's got to be something wrong between the ignition and the switch terminal. I'm willing to bet the voltage on the switch lead is less than desirable. I'll know soon. Thanks again! :)
 
OK so I checked voltage on the switch wire. When I turn the key to the start position, it shows over the limit or OL. Quite the opposite of what I expected.
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Thanks again, Mel! OK so it turns out there were two problems. First, the reason I'm getting a bad reading is because the outer harness at the firewall is cracked and there was a bad connection on the switch wire between the outer and inner harnesses. After fixing that, I got between 6 and 7 volts when I turned the key to the start position. Still bad. Yikes.
 
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