NAA 12 volt conversion

[Apple Allen]

Nothing happens when I turn the key. Any ideas where to look? Here is what I've done. It is 12 volt battery (neg. ground), 12 volt solenoid and coil, 1-wire alternator. Wired like this: Solenoid - 1 wire to battery, 1 wire to starter and small post wire to thumb starter switch. Ampmeter - 1 wire to solenoid (battery side) and key. The other side of the ampmeter is wired to the alternator. Key ignition switch gets juice from the solenoid (battery side) and the other side of the key switch goes to the coil then distributor. With a tester I've got juice to ampmeter and alternator. With key on I get juice to the coil, but not starter or small post on the solenoid. Dead quiet when I push the starter button. Do I maybe have a bad ground at the starter or thumb switch? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[JMOR]

Most likely the wrong solenoid or installed backwards, i.e., the two big post to batt & starter reversed. But before changing it, use a jumper to short BATT side of solenoid to small post. If that makes it crank over, then you have the wrong type of solenoid.
Post back for more info and correct P/N after you do the above & report results.

 

[Apple Allen]

I am using a NAPA ST51SB solenoid.

 

[Apple Allen]

JMOR - Yes when I jumped across from the battery side to the small post it turned over. What solenoid should I get? Thanks

 

[JMOR]

I don't have a Jube number for you. Hopefully someone will show shortly with the number. Here is one I got off nnalert, and a good parts guy should be able to cross reference it.
21A-11450-M

 

[souNdguy]

IMHO.. wrong solenoid.

is it a 3 or 4 wire solenoid.

ford solenoids of that era like to see ground on the small post.. that's what the thumb switch provides.. many new solenoids like to see power instead.

also.. yer key is wired to the WRONG side of the ammeter.

battery is on a side by itself.. loads and charging are on the other side..

soundguy