Newb here.
I still need to make a proper intro, but I have a problem I need help with first.

A buddy at work has bought a 55 that wasn't running. Needed a carbeurator first. He replaced the coil, points, condenser, ballast, cap and rotor. The problem is none of the ignition wiring was in place so he just started plugging stuff up.

I prematurely ran my mouth that I can fix anything, and once looking at it, I remembered I have never worked on a points system other than setting gap.

How is the system supposed to be wired up? Not the coil plug wires or spark plug wires, but the electrical circuit for the 12 volts?

There are two wires coming from the firewall he has both plugged into the ballast. A hot wire from the + on the battery to the + on the coil. The - on the coil to the only wire coming out of the coil\points. How is this circuit supposed to be set up?

Thanks immensely.

Anyone here have any input?

A memory test here.

If there is a "ballast" resistor in place you will have to measure some voltage levels to be certain the chassis wiring is connected properly.

The system is designed to apply full battery voltage to the coil "+" terminal via the starter solenoid only when the starter solenoid is energized (as in during engine cranking).

When the starter solenoid drops out, voltage to the coil "+" terminal is applied from the ignition switch and through the resistor. The resistor reduces the coil primary voltage.

The coil "-" terminal connects directly to the distributor terminal and only to the distributor terminal. The distributor (points) provide the chassis ground for the current through the coil.

If I had access to a scanner I could upload a generic schematic diagram that would better describe the design intent. But...... I don't have that luxury.