M38 Late Model - Distributor Question

[1SGWillys]

I have a late model M38 Engine - serial MC88380 and I have a question regarding the distributor connection on side of the housing. I understand this to be a connection for the radio but how and where does it go? Type of cable, ect. If I don't put in a radio is there a block off cap for it to keep the dirt out? Thank you.

[wesk]

The 24 Volts that power your distributor's coil enters the cap there on standard wire #12. The capacitor inside that special plug-in is a radio noise filter that absorbs electrical static from the ignition system to help prevent ignition related noise on any installed radios. Since modern radios have very little trouble with these interferences today the capacitor is actually not necessary anymore.

If you simply remove it and toss it you are left with no 24V power to your coil so to eliminated it you must provide a path for Wire #12 to still provide 24V to the coil.

[1SGWillys]

Thank you Wes. Is there a good reference to how this 24v system all connects together or is it more spread out in multiple manuals and sources?

[wesk]

The M38 has three M38 specific maintenance manuals.

The Early Pilot model manual which covered the 6 pilot model M38's and was an interim manual.

TM 9-804 Dated Sept. 1950 was the early model service manual.

TM 9-8012 Dated Jan 1956 was the later manual that covered both early and late.

Both have electrical chapters that are complete with wiring diagrams and "How to's".

Those electrical components also have service manuals specific to a certain make part like the Auto-Lite components have a Service manual TM 9-1825B dated 1952. The harness components are covered in TM 9-1825E for the Bendix-Scintilla connectors.

Finally there are the Part Manuals or IPL's.

[1SGWillys]

Thank you Wes. I was able to locate the references you mentioned in the download section. I see now where it references the power wire for the coil