SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: mharden on June 10, 2019, 04:54:31 PM
-
I bought a 1975 Apollo jetboat that I learned to barefoot behind back way back in 1976. Have totally restored the boat from the stringers out. Had the Berkeley Pump blueprinted and the Olds 455 blueprinted, balanced etc. I've changed out the old Delco distributor with a new Petronix along with new Petronix Flame Thrower coil. New single-wire chrome alternator etc and am trying to make sure I do the starter wiring etc correct with these changes. I am using the original starter at this point that came on the boat.
Several Questions:
#1. Do I need to put a starter relay in the electrical system like the ones sold by Hardin Marine / CP Performance? Several of the wiring diagrams I've seen show them.. but some don't.
#2 If not, is there a benefit gained from adding a starter relay?
#3. Given my setup listed above... any recommendations?
I'm new to all of this so I appreciate any wisdom you guys can provide!!
Thanks,
Mike
-
I run a Ford solenoid on all my gm starters. Heat soak on trucks, and miles of wiring on boats.
I put a jumper plate from the big terminal to the start terminal, on the gm starter solenoid. Big cable goes from there to one side of the Ford solenoid. Battery cable on the other side, to the battery. Old start wire now goes to the Ford solenoid. Starter is never 'hot' or 'live' unless the engine is cranking.
Sounds like everything else will work just fine. Just make sure there isn't a resistor wire for the old points distributor/coil.
Dan'l