Stupid simple starter question

[Smokinthehippies]

So that's my starter. What do each of the posts do?
I'm pretty sure I go the big battery cable to the big post in the center. But what goes to the side posts? Do I need to run a ground down to the post on the starter case all by its lonesome?
Are any of these posts live with 12V that are only hot with ignition on?
I could just test them but I want to make sure it's hooked up correctly first.
Thanks for the help guys

 

[Fordum]

Well, unless you have points, ignore the "R" terminal.
Battery goes to the big terminal. Purple start wire goes to the "S".

It would not hurt to run a heavy ground to that bolt on the starter.

 

[63chevyll]

No need for a negative cable directly to starter. Just make sure where it mounts is clean and paint free.

What fordum said about wires bingo.

I would recommend running the factory brace off the top case stud if you don't have one already

 

[lectric80]

Ok, as Fordum said, the purple wire goes to the 'S' terminal. You have an 81 so you will also have a couple of fusible link wires that go on the same post as the battery cable. Now is a good time to replace them if you haven't already, they do wear over time and I have seen a lot of problems because of them. Ignore the 'R' terminal unless someone has swapped in a very old ignition system, your 81 should be electronic distributor.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

sweet thanks guys.

as it is now i know theres 3-4 small wires that were connected to it in addition to the big battery cable. i'll look into the fusible links as well as i think i have one messed up but didnt know where it was.

 

[imiceman44]

sweet thanks guys.

as it is now i know theres 3-4 small wires that were connected to it in addition to the big battery cable. i'll look into the fusible links as well as i think i have one messed up but didnt know where it was.

The fusible links are those couple of wires that are with the big wire on the starter.