Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks



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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 175
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 175
My 38 has a wire from the coil's positive terminal down to the distributor. Viewed from the front passenger tire, the wire hits the outside of the distributor at 7:00.
Nothing holds that wire in place.
Next to the distributor, a nut secures two washers. My mechanic told me that this nut holds the points in place, and that the nut cannot be used to secure the wire from the coil.
Is that right? If so, I need another nut. Can I get the part/group # for that nut? Or maybe the type? I struck out at Autozone and the hardware. Maybe a picture from someone who does have that wire secured?

Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,863
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Quote
My 38 has a wire from the coil's positive terminal down to the distributor.


The wire going to the distributor should be from the negative side of the coil, not the positive.

The coil wire is connected to the outside of the distributor via an insulated terminal stud and nut. The same terminal stud has the points connected to the other end inside of the distributor. The nuts used are standard hex nuts that you can get in any hardware store.

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The Mangy Old Mutt

"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 175
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 175
My coil's negative post has a wire that runs up and back, and then enters, along with 3 other wires, into a 4" housing. I assume from there it activates a dashboard gauge. So, it appears I have installed the coil backward. I will switch it, per your reply, so that the negative post will connect to the distributor.
Back to the nut--can I use the one nut that I do have, to do double duty, to hold that wire from the coil in place? Because again, I went to the Do-It-Center and bought an assortment of the nuts they sold. Nothing fit. They were close but no cigar.

Joined: May 2013
Posts: 212
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 212
the wire from your points to the coil must not contact any part of the distributor body.hence the nylon insulators around the small bolt as it passes through the disi if it does then no spark..the wire to the positive side of the coil is a power feed FROM usually the ampmeter that comes on with the ignition.

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 175
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 175
We did finally find the nut, at a different hardware store. Thanks for the help.

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 175
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 175
Thanks, that helped.


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