914-6 Ignition Wiring

[nardstrom]

I've just rebuilt my 914-6 engine and none of my references provide enough information for me to wire up my distributor/coil. My 914 Clymer Repair Manual has wiring diagrams, but doesn't show the 914-6 specifically. I can't figure out the connection from the wiring diagram on pelicanparts.com for the 914-6 (the resolution is not detailed enough for me to figure it out). Tech Tips 700 says the negative side of the coil is grounded to the engine (tips 593 & 597), but then what wire(s) connect to the distributor (marelli) and the coil. My engine wire harness has two leads in the coil/distributor area (blue/black and red/black). There was another wire that went directly from the control panel to the coil that was not part of the official wiring harness (most like for the tach). Any guidance? Thanks.

[914-6Porsche]

I can't believe no one has answered this. There is a Large Brown curly wire from the negative coil to a bolt that mounts the clamp around the coil to the alternator through the cooling shroud. There are two wires that go to the positive terminal of the coil with one ring terminal.
I can't tell you the colors of the wires to that terminal but I should be able to sometime over the weekend. This is all dependent upon if you have the real stock harness, the original CD ignition module and probably some other things

Mark
__________________
2004 Cayenne T
2006 Cayenne S
Original owner 1970 914-6 #0397
1999 F150

[914-6Porsche]

Since there has been no response, I will not go to the trouble of providing details.

Mark

[nardstrom]

The car came with an aftermarket CD ignition system, so I don't know what's still original. The wiring is the original harness for the 914-6, but I think what I need is a description of how the ignition system is supposed to work. I've got the car running by connecting +12V from the battery to the positive side of the coil, then connecting the negative from the coil to the distributor. So what I think I need is a diagram of how the whole ignition system should look, including the key ignition, ignition relay (if any), and distributor as I may need to wire things directly. Thanks.

[914-6Porsche]

OK, I figure you have probably a permatune type, which is close to the original. As soon as I have time I will send you email or post a reply, hopefully by Sat. I don't have any good diagrams from any of my manuals to post. I will send or post a basic diagram of how it works, you are basically on the right track but the current through the points will wear out the points faster. The CD ignition lowers the current so that the points last much longer and all you need to worry about is wear on the points that rub on the lobes of the distributor shaft and the plus is that CD ignition gives a much hotter spark.

Mark

[914-6Porsche]

I failed to mention that since the condenser is not present in the distributor, the points will arc furiously and cause the points to be badly pitted, actually weld closed or fail completely.

Mark

[914-6Porsche]

[larrym]

per Art Zapf's color diagram ( ya really ought to buy a copy - you will need it)

blu/black goes to relay panel - attaches at distributor along with Black (grd) that goes to Bosch CD unit 3rd terminal

red/black is Ignition "hot" (+); 2 red/black wires joined at coil (+); one goes to CD #1 terminal, other goes to relay panel

from CD unit, #2 terminal (center) another red/black goes to relay panel and thence thru to Ign Switch

black = ground

Distributor points simply make & break the ground so that the coil can make a spark; coil case should also be grounded

now - if somebody bypassed the relay panel - all ya have to do is get a DVOM and start tracing the wires end-to-end with an ohmeter

art's diagram available here - Zapf Enterprises

[Porscheman912]

Please post pictures of what you have. I am looking at my wiring diagram, and my harness, and tomorrow, I will be at someones house with 2 factory 6s, and My one customer I just finished his 6 had a MSD setup, so that will not help you.

[nardstrom]

Thanks for the connection diagram and the wiring description. It appears that the Red-Black is not connected to the relay panel, which explains why there was a directly connected wire from the panel to the positive terminal on the coil. I can't get a spark using my CD unit (Mark 10B), so it might be blown (or not the correct type of unit). Is there a way to test the CD unit? For now, I am going through the distributor from the coil ground with a capacitor on the distributor. I know this is not ideal, however. Thanks again for the help.

[larrym]

OK - so you have an old-time Delta Mark 10

- they were good CD units; i used em on on MG's etc for many yrs

- I may still have a copy of the manual for one of those, and will check today

my very dim recollection is that if it is "powered up" it will make a high-pitch noise with the ignition on and engine not running

later

Originally Posted by nardstrom

Thanks for the connection diagram and the wiring description. It appears that the Red-Black is not connected to the relay panel, which explains why there was a directly connected wire from the panel to the positive terminal on the coil. I can't get a spark using my CD unit (Mark 10B), so it might be blown (or not the correct type of unit). Is there a way to test the CD unit? For now, I am going through the distributor from the coil ground with a capacitor on the distributor. I know this is not ideal, however. Thanks again for the help.

[larrym]

OK - I have the original manual
the thing is too small and print is too small to scan or photograph - i can send a xerox if somebody wants it - PM with postal address

here's the basics

1. the unit has 2 pairts of wires plus a black-wire ground to engine block

2. one pair of wires is red and white - this pair goes to a red phenolic strip that attaches to the + positive side of the ign coil

the white wire is on the coil + terminal, and the red wire is outboard (to lead from Ign switch) - (color per prior post above)

3. another pair of wires is grey and green - this attaches to a green phenolic strip that attaches to the - negative side of the coil

the grey wire attaches to the coil - post, and the outboard green wire attaches to the distributor ign points lead

4. NO other wires should be connected at the 2 coil posts

5. Gap your plugs to .035

6. ballast resistor is optional - but it is built into a Bosch blue or black coil - so if you want "over 5000 rpm performance" get rid of the ballasted coil

7. the distributor points condensor should be retained in the system

8. DO NOT connect a radio-suppression capacitor to a coil terminal - you can connect it to the red ign switch lead

8. on some cars, the alternator light can provide enuf current to energize the Mark 10 - you will know this is a problem if the engine kkeps running when you shut off the ign

9. that's all there is to it

10. an audible hum or whistle may be noted ignition is ON - that is NORMAL

11. there is a separate manual for various Tach hookups on some cars

Originally Posted by larrym

OK - so you have an old-time Delta Mark 10

- they were good CD units; i used em on on MG's etc for many yrs

- I may still have a copy of the manual for one of those, and will check today

my very dim recollection is that if it is "powered up" it will make a high-pitch noise with the ignition on and engine not running

later