The EASIEST wiring to start an old carbureted engine! Push button start/ ignition bypass

This is the most minimal wiring you will need to start an old motor with an HEI distributor. This should help if you have no harness, are making an engine stand, have a bad ignition, need to start an old car with no key or want to add push button start to your classic vehicle. Here is the basic idea..
To set up the battery to your engine you will need: Positive terminal - big stud on starter
Negative Terminal - grounded to motor
To turn the ignition on/off you will need: power line - switch - BAT spade on the distributor
To crank the engine you will need: power line - button - small stud on the starter
For whatever reason I couldn’t find a video to explain how to bypass the ignition, or to convert it to a switch, to start the engine. It took me a bit to figure it out, hopefully someone finds this useful

[@JTs_Garage_]

3 years later and you're helping a fellar start up a 65 riv, Thank you for the help!!

[@carlajones5112]

Thank you! Finally a brief yet detailed video on how to do this. Great job!

[@adrianrobertson1802]

So easy when explaining slowly for us older ones.cheers, thanks.

[@jemelmonger]

Dude. Thank you so much for this video. Can’t wait to try this when I get home. Dude explained where every wire goes !! Thanks again! You should start making more videos !

[@eazyduzit5309]

I appreciate it! I think about it sometimes with all of the toys and projects I have but I never seem to pick up the camera lol. Might just start filming more in the future

[@jemelmonger]

@@eazyduzit5309 come on man. Pick that camera up. You’re an inspiration !

[@DoesUrBeanHang]

Is there an easy way to wire lights in and signals as well? I don’t need dash or anything else just my headlights and taillights

[@codyreynolds6333]

@@DoesUrBeanHang yes how to wire your street rod from start to finish its orange book woth a 30s car drawn on the cover its a little book its how I learned it has comics and pics that make it easy and simplified pretty much need a fused light switch to the lights lights grounded and switch grounded to the body the book is on ebay

[@casuser8270]

Even after 2 years your still helping us out thank you so much!!!

[@dubiousf00d]

Omg thank you! I'm building a square body with a 4 speed. It had nothing for wiring in it. You saved me a ton of bs!

[@jm1551701]

This was good to find, thanks for this video, I am doing a frame off resto, on a 66 Chevelle, and the motor is installed on the frame, but I have no harness at all, and I want to do a start up, it has been a lot of years since I have done anything like this, this is a good quick tutorial , and to refresh my memory. and I want to get this 283 running and ironed out before the body marries back onto the frame, and it is a new re-built 283,

[@khalifchambers4100]

You have definitely shown guaranteed facts that you are the only one with the simple startup there is no one else on here and I'll search for weeks 👍

[@eazyduzit5309]

I appreciate it!

[@khalifchambers4100]

@@eazyduzit5309 no I appreciate you 💯

[@bigbellyballer8463]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I plan to start an engine on a cradle...Been looking for a video to explain this for a LONG TIME great video! To tha point👍🏾

[@buffbuffers2076]

I am getting ready to do exactly what you did, looked it up and found your vid. Well done brother.

[@brycedaoust6783]

Helped me out a lot just pulled a 80’s 305 into the yard motor looked good hopefully I better started before the day is over really appreciate the video

[@divinephotography9648]

This is so damn perfect. Couldn’t find a video anywhere. The wiring on my camaro is a mess. I will be doing this to remedy the ignition problems.

[@miamivenomoffroadmud6576]

Im doing now started push button on my yj jeep n your video helps a lot thank you so much for details very nicely

[@tannerpetrie]

Thank you!!!! Finally goona have the old hunting truck starting on its own again!

[@deltabrogden3350]

Thank you for the video. I am trouble shooting and needed a reminder on how to hook up the basics. This was perfect! Well done!

[@Chevyshow]

Just bought an old car and this helped me! Thanks a lot

[@jackmioff000]

Thank you, now I know what to do with my miller 200le aead welder that I've been struggling with for days and hopefully I can get back to work

[@ismaelgomez5827]

Dude I love your video this was the best one I seen so far... For my 74 nova

[@Anderson55616]

Used this to use my 350 on a stand You dropped this btw 👉👑

[@eazyduzit5309]

That’s what I learned this from! Old timer down the road from me built a engine stand and used this setup, that’s where I got it from!

[@tharedpotatowwhale]

Thank you for making this video I've tested several junkyard motors

[@jaredsmith4443]

I've been looking forever for a simple test stand wiring video. Thank-you. I have a msd dist. With a 6al box. Just need to figure out how that ties into the mix lol

[@itravel24]

Currently in the same boat with a msd 6a box. Did you figute it out ?

[@hollowdonte]

thank you so much im having to rewire a entire 64 dynamic 88 and it has been a pain.with this info now i can finish rewiring!

[@naethancastro2393]

This is the most helpful video yet l, thank you for this.

[@flylyfe5526]

Awesome vid bro much needed just bought a 64 c10 and wanted to see if motor is good and this was the perfect way to test without ignition switch

[@residentialservicesplus.1049]

OK ok. Thanks that’s basic. Well put video my friend ,very informative.

[@LeoEspino-yd6qc]

exactly what i needed- thanks man!

[@jimmyp1145]

Hey thanks for the help u saved a old 76 elcamino from the graveyard

[@filmart430]

Exactly what I was looking for.

[@tankindustrys5355]

Dude this really helped me I’m definitely doing this tomorrow

[@966impalas9]

Thanks for sharing this.. Good luck w/ your project

[@alryley2]

Yea man thanks, you definitely helped me out. can't wait to try this

[@dennisflorian8976]

Bro..Thank you so much for this video!

[@milestruex938]

Great job, i was looking for this so i can build a engine stand. This is perfect thanks

[@ryangarciaa21]

This will help me. Thank you

[@humbertosantanajr510]

Thanks man - my tilt column and all my ignition took a poop - this helped me

[@edwardautra8753]

Appreciate the wiring detail,

[@cmoemula3400]

Bro you saved me 😅 .. thanks for the good info 👍🏾

[@benodell9675]

Thanks for your help very clear.

[@kendrickarchibald678]

Good info exactly what I needed. Gonna build me a custom switch pod for my Camaro

[@garrettburks95]

Dude hell yea I’m running a Ford motor in a derby car and this helped out🤟🏻🤟🏻Chevrolet is easier but I’m rebuilding my 350 atm so I’m running a 302!

[@Romanrootergarage]

Very detailed information. Thank you 🙏

[@Romanrootergarage]

I successfully fired up my engine today following your instruction. 🙏

[@MuniNadan-rk4jd]

Thanks for this video bro. It can help me start now my Samurai engine g13a to test if its running all good cause due to fire at engine bay electrical wires were been destroyed.

[@sirbadassstudios]

Preparing to Wire up a triumph stag with a 4.2l v6 wish me luck many thanks for the vid👍👍

[@Awsometurtle20]

Bro this was super helpful thanks

[@jessesanchez2219]

Thank you for that great tip your awesome dude very helpful

[@ryannordal5245]

Awesome! Thanks for this 👍

[@BustedSteel]

Thank you been looking for this for awhile

[@trevorquinnell8515]

Matey been looking for video like this so much

[@se7ensamurai]

This is perfect. Lost power to half the fuse block on my 86 k10. So if I can't figure that out this weekend, maybe I'll be able to get it started enough to drive it home... 🤞

[@kaloosh2639]

a great helpful video🌊actual useful video to be on youtube

[@skylarstraight468]

Yeah man so glad you shared this!

[@apsofny8608]

exactly what I needed!

[@rooster68able]

Very good vid to point great explanation

[@TheRyadrian]

Thank you! finally a video without modules etc. My button shall be sneaky so nobody can peaky ;)

[@FEDERALBOYSENTERTAINMENT]

Thanks a lot life saver I did it today I’m so happy right know also Subbed Thanks again

[@thomasbailey9820]

Great job

[@enriquerodriguez1804]

Awesome thanks bro.

[@alohaolli9672]

thanks! helped a lot!

[@aydyndelayney9816]

Bought a 85 z28 camaro and it had everything ripped out and couldn't find a video of people running these without computers so thanks for the help

[@akftw6288]

I just bought an 84 camaro and I have to do the same thing, did it end up working for you?

[@lilspikenation1992]

I thank u so much buddy you made my day thanks bud will be subscribing thanks.

[@kiethholland3650]

Thanks, you're right. No videos anywhere. I knew how to do it on a mopar but not a gm.

[@alexmendoza3757]

Good job!!

[@kameronmestes4177]

Wow really helpful

[@jackbrierley1225]

Thank you bro you saved me a lot of time wish I could buy you a beer 🍺

[@papergatorzfedducca7998]

Thank you!!!

[@justinbasques8572]

Right on helped alot

[@pistnbroke736]

Big help. I'm wiring up a push button start on a 383 stroker in a 1932 Ford Coupe. There's no harness haha

[@eazyduzit5309]

383 in a ford? That’s sacrilegious! Lol good luck to you sir hope this helped

[@ix_d3monzz_xi135]

thank you

[@jesuspena5366]

Could you make a short video about how to wire up alternator , good content bro

[@turbodreams85]

Good deal, thank you

[@Artifactfanatic]

You need to make more videos great content

[@gaspargarcia4177]

Can you make a little diagram? Very good job

[@renegade637]

I did something similar. However, I can, at least, turn the key to the on position. It just has problems turning over. So, I wired a push-button to short between the solenoid and the positive battery terminal.

[@Grunts4Life]

Thankyou 🙏

[@rey9584]

Awesome thanks you

[@mr.noface9363]

Hey thanks my classic was running last year and car would not start . Now it does thax

[@robertreim7654]

Thank you that is exactly what I needed to see. Working on a 65j300 gladiator jeep pickup.with a late model chevy tilt calmom . the key still working but it won't turn over or start truck.I know there's power there because everything else is working I E radio, lights and on. Your insight please.

[@eazyduzit5309]

I had the same exact problem in this truck! Someone put a 90’s model Chevy tilt column in the truck and I had the same deal. In your case, I would turn the key to the “on” position then check to see if your getting power to the ignition coil (I’m going to assume you are if everything else is working but make sure to check). So if you are getting power the the ignition, but the engine won’t crank when you turn the key, then you can either do a push button start like in this video ( positive terminal on starter -> push button -> negative terminal on starter) but instead of running an ignition switch you would just need to put the key in the on position. Or, if your trying to just turn the key and crank the engine, then you would have to trace your wiring (assuming you have a wiring harness) from the starter to the ignition and see if there is any issues with the connection. Sorry for the late response, hope that helped a bit lol

[@michaelosmon]

4:32 with the use of a continuity tester you could find the accessory wires going to the key switch, use a relay. Could easily find the starter wire too there. Might need a helper to operate the key

[@mspeedm5849]

the switches amp ratings and more importantly what type it is exactly might be useful for some here. I assume the secondary for the distributor connection is just an on-off type. I get the push button starter is for certain a normally open aka not connected internally momentary switch making a connection only when pushed.

[@OldScorpion]

thanks

[@kalebfleck1703]

Guy knows what’s up

[@Old_Sol]

Saved my ass dude thanks.

[@khalidabu-saleh2081]

Yeeeeeaaaa buddy thank you!

[@lownds_8249]

So simplified much appreciated and yes 30 amp fuse in between for sure, mice ate up the harness in the Nova I bought. What did you end up doing for hooking up your alternator so it will charge and do it’s thing?

[@eazyduzit5309]

I actually just installed a new American auto wire harness on my buddy’s k10 and it was super neat and simple to do if you plan on redoing your harness. 10/10 recommend, anybody can do it. All the wires are labeled like every six inches and factory color code. Pay the money for it, you won’t regret it. But if you don’t want to go about doing it that way and you just want to get it running for the moment, I don’t exactly know how to rig the alternator 🤦‍♂️ but I do know that there is a wire from the positive terminal on the battery that plugs into the alternator. On that same plug there is another wire linked to it (a brown one I think?) that runs to your fuse box. I believe it’s all linked to the ignition at the end of the day. So if I had to take a guess, I’d link a wire from the “BAT” spade on the distributor to the alternator

[@eazyduzit5309]

On your alternator there is a plug-in. One side of your plug-in has a thicker red wire coming from the positive terminal on your battery. The other side is where you want to run your second wire. And that one, if I’m thinking right, will be from the alternator to the BAT on the distributor. Then to test it to see if it even works, I would just start the car up, let it run for a while and then unplug the positive terminal of the battery. If it stays running (and obviously assuming the alternator is good) then it’s all working fine. If it dies then… we’ll, I’m wrong lol. But it should keep running if you unplug the battery. But like I said if your harness is bad already and your trying to make the car nice I 100% recommend the American auto wire kit, it’s a bit pricier but way way worth the money. They give you all of the factory style connectors and drawn out directions and all of the wires are factory color coded and labeled every six inches. It’s pretty hard to mess up

[@lownds_8249]

@@eazyduzit5309 badass! Of all the cars I’ve had I’ve never had to fix much wiring other than tail lights and crap like that. The more I look I think the factory harness isn’t as bad as I though there’s just a few engine compartment spots like the main lead wires the driver headlight. Luckily a ton of the wiring was covered in plastic wire looms. Only issue I’ve got is someone tried replacing the ignition switch that tore of the shaft the cylinder goes in the new on jammed right up as well. So I’ll probably just hook up a push button/toggle setup.

[@lownds_8249]

@@eazyduzit5309 definitely if we find more wiring issues I’ll take your advice on that kit, the Painless kits look like a headache haha. The bracket they have on the engine the alternator is upside down so can’t see the wiring for shit and I didn’t see a wire chilling to run back to the battery. I need to just buy a stock bracket since I need new belts anyway. I don’t know why they did some of the things they did haha

[@djcrazysmokegarza2866]

Awesome

[@rylantedrick9470]

Got a 1990 YJ can’t wait to try this on it

[@eazyduzit5309]

Nice! I’m a big Jeep guy, I’ve had more than I’d like to admit it lol. Always loved my YJ’s. Have fun wheeling 👍

[@rylantedrick9470]

Did you use solid or or stranded wire?

[@eazyduzit5309]

@@rylantedrick9470 stranded wire, not sure if it makes a difference or not though

[@rylantedrick9470]

It doesn’t I was just curious, I am having trouble locating the distributor on this thing tho

[@rylantedrick9470]

@@eazyduzit5309let me rephrase, I don’t think it has an hei distributor so I’m having trouble figuring out where to connect the wire that you ran to the battery spade

[@cowboy19750]

For me something in my steering column broke that changed the position of the ignition hopefully this will work

[@CAPUT-rh2cm]

nice

[@DavidEiker]

A even easier method is to attach the wires as described with only 1 starter switch between the battery and starter side of the starter solenoid. Directly connect the HEI and battery with a wire.

[@BoxcarsGarage]

Great video!! IF no HEI....using an old conventional distributor....then how to run the connections?

[@eazyduzit5309]

Thank you! The goal is to send power to the ignition coil. If you could run a wire from the positive end of the battery to a switch, then another wire from the switch to the positive side of the ignition coil, then it’ll get spark to the plugs

[@BoxcarsGarage]

@@eazyduzit5309 thanks for the follow-up. Will do

[@darrelloltman3353]

I was just curious how would you do a point system?

[@blazingstew1015]

How do I get spark on my 95 mustang??? This video helped but I don’t have spark

[@redwolfpiping5701]

I have an old GMC Hy-rail step side, I want to bypass the starter key and just use a pushbutton in the cab

[@andyhobaugh3104]

Quick question. How did you connect the spade connector to the distributor. I was able to Frankenstein the old fitting off the original wire harness but it wouldn't work without it. Btw. I've had a 81 sierra 1 ton with an electrical system that has been the bane of my existence for about 4 years now. I bought it for a farm truck and haven't got more than 20 minutes of work out of it the entire time I've owned it... until this video. If you post more "how to" vids ill watch. Thanks.

[@eazyduzit5309]

So on the distributor where it says BAT there is the female end to the spade connector, looks like a small metal rectangle. All you would need to do is pinch the male end of the spade connector to your switch wire, then plug it right into the female end on the distributor. It’ll plug right in, hopefully that helps out a bit!

[@509TORITO509]

Does my ecm have to be grounded in order for the injections to fire?

[@lazarovizcarra388]

I have that same that same push button in my project honda civic and i was wondering does it have to be grounded, and if so what wire do I ground it from, since my civic has a power draw and that's been the only reasonable thing exept my push button was wired to the positive terminal and the starter

[@eazyduzit5309]

The button itself doesn’t need to be grounded, you’ll just need a wire from the positive side of the starter to the other side of the starter. That completes the circuit and makes the starter spin. Then for the ignition your set up is probably different, I doubt you have an hei distributor so if you run a switch for the ignition it would probably be a bit different

[@edhammond2892]

Terrific video ... I have a really old VW ( 6 volt 1962 ) with an old low energy Bosch distributor and coil .... I want to crank the starter and bypass the ignition also ( with another switch like you ) .. Where do I attach the wire that you plug into the BAT socket on your HEI distributor ..Im afraid of doing something wrong or burning something up.....

[@eazyduzit5309]

You’ll just want to send power from the positive terminal of your battery straight to the BAT plug in on your distributor. Just a wire straight from the battery to the plug would do it. But you could even run a fuse on that wire as well, so the fuse would blow up before you damage anything. So in your case, I would connect a wire from the positive battery terminal to one end of a fuse, and then have another wire from the other end of that fuse going to your BAT socket on the distributor. Hope that helps! Battery -> fuse -> distributor

[@edhammond2892]

@@eazyduzit5309 Thank you for your super speedy reply .. But my concern is that there is no BAT connection on my antique distributor. . But there is a wire on the regulator which looks like it might have been connected to the neg pole of the battery ( or maybe even went up to the ignition switch ) but there no connection on it , so Im not sure where it went.--- ) This connection then goes from the regulator to a connection on the coil ( Nothing is labeled , but maybe I can find a diagram in one of my books.) I am thinking that this connection is analagous to your BAT spade conection ... but Im not sure ..... This car is much MUCH older than you are so I cant expect you to know everything .about every car ever made . but your clear video was very helpful to me

[@eazyduzit5309]

@@edhammond2892yeahhh I’m not too familiar with those old VW’s. But what I can say is that the goal is just to send power to the ignition one way or another. I looked up the wiring diagram for a 64 bug (not sure if that’s what you have or if that applies) but it looks like you should have a wire from your distributor into your ignition coil. Not the short spark plug wire, but a small green one that is supposed to go into the bottom of your distributor. I have a feeling that may be the inlet to send power to. But definitely do more research before you try that! I don’t want to hear that you blew your distributor up lol

[@edhammond2892]

@@eazyduzit5309 Thank you for your efforts and very clear way of explaining things. I have also come to the conclusion that the small green wire is important but I need to brush up on ( coil ) fundamentals ------ Im not sure what side to apply the power ( from my switch )------ the end coming out of the coil going down to the distributor . or the other end of the green wire and going into the coil .... You could make a vintage VW video and a million people would learn from it.....

[@xnotdustinx738]

Does this call for any specific kind of wire? I know 12 gauge but non metallic,power cord, uf wire? And how would I do the power to the fuel pump? Thank you for your time

[@eazyduzit5309]

I guess any wire would really do the trick as long as it gets power from one place to another, I suppose it’s all the same in the end. The wires I used were left over from a trailer light wiring kit I had in my garage. And as far as the fuel pump goes, these old engines have a mechanical fuel pump attached to the motor, the engine turning creates the pressure. But if your asking me that question then I’d assume you have something newer or have an electric pump conversion. No problem: all you’d need is a wire going from the positive terminal of the battery, connected to a switch (you can use the same ignition switch or you can have a separate switch just for the fuel pump) and then connect a second wire from the switch all the way to the fuel pump. They usually just take one wire anyway I believe, I’m pretty sure they have their own ground built into them. But, keep in mind, that would be if you have no wiring at all in the vehicle. If your car is new enough to have an electric fuel pump then you probably have a whole fuse box with a bunch of wires and fuses going every which way. If that’s the case, your fuel pump may actually turn on if you just send power to the ignition like in this video. So would your radio, lights, ac switches, horn, anything that runs on ignition power. So it depends on your situation.

[@xnotdustinx738]

I have a 1983 ford bronco, guy before me tried making it fuel injected and messed up the wire harness trying to splice a bunch of them together, decided to buy the HEI distributor for it which allows me to do the same wiring as you did to yours, it seems like the starter is way different and I only have one bolt instead of 2 nuts. Might just have to go a different route, thank you for your long and detailed response.

[@aaronhalvorson4596]

What if I did all this and there's no spark coming out of the sparkplug wire ??

[@KiloDaMechanic]

So if I do this , would my dash lights not be on ? Like would the oil gauge, gas gauge and all that on the cluster work as it should properly ?

[@eazyduzit5309]

Well it depends, if you have mechanical gauges then yes, your oil and temp gauge will work. I don’t exactly know if electric gauges will work just because the motor is running. The only way really that the cluster will light up is if A, your factory ignition is working and you don’t need the after market ignition switch at all. Or B, if you can find the ignition wire in the inside of the car that connects to the fuse panel (looks like a brick with a bunch of wires coming in and out of it on the firewall/under the dash) and link the power wire and the ignition wire to a switch. It’ll power everything in the car. Radio, dash and lights, power to the distributor, would work exactly like a key does. But to be honest if you could find the ignition wire and the power wire in the factory harness then you really don’t have a need for the aftermarket switch like I have in the video unless you really wanted one I guess.

[@KiloDaMechanic]

@@eazyduzit5309 appreciate the feedback bro, I was able to do as you said and find the harness for the key and was able to make it a Legit push to start button with everything , just need to figure out how to disable the key lock for the steering 💯 appreciate it !