father in law left me with this car i know nothing about mopars electric ignition the was driven weekly for the past 20yrs then sat for 6months before i got it only tried once to start it and some red wire coming through the firewall on driver side just started to burn up then the car wouldn't start with the key so i jump the starter the car will turn over and is getting fire but no start what is this red wire for? it is like 10/12 ga wire on top side of bundle of wires any ideas on how to get the car started ? looks to be 2ba. carb i guess it is a 383 or 440 ? any help thanks am

 

There has been a lot of chatter on this subject lately. The problem seems to be the power for the whole car goes from the alternator, through the bulk head, through the ammeter guage, and the back through bulk head to the soleniod, then to the fuse box. The wires are old and the conections get dirty. This causes resistance that heats up the wires. Here are a couple links with some helpful information and a permanent cure.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml


http://1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/ml-instrument-voltage-regulator64.html

Hope this helps.

 

if its a 2 barrell, then its probably a 383
if you post up some engine pics we can help you definetly determine it