Greetings all,

first post in a while.

I'm an owner of a '71 1200 station wagon, extremely faithful car. It's been off the road for about 4 months and just todays we have the entire reconditioned engine back in one piece and sitting in the engine bay.

I've come up against a problem, I cannot for the life of me recall the rewiring. All wires were labeled before the battery, solinoid, starter motor, alternator etc. were removed. Everything is back in place and I have rewired to the best of my ability but as soon as the positive terminal is connected I get crackling and spitting from the battery.

I'm in need of some advice and some visuals if at all possible for this please.

Thanks, read from someone soon.

K

Let me ask another question which might actually clear up the first question:

If the battery isn't earth to the timing chain cover, will that cause the sparks to fly?

K

Nah, it doesn't cause sparks to fly unless something is "on" (like the ignition key). So you may have a short somewhere.

In any case, bolt the neg. battery cable to the engine block. The starter needs a good earth.

My money is on the alternator wiring.
Remove the ground wire that you have put on the Positive post on the back of the alternator.

What if the connections for the reverse light contacts on the gear box are back to front, would that be an issue?

no. not an issue. its only a switch on the gearbox.