[Drbrown]

Binx's diagrams should help. I'm not specifically familiar with the '53s and not sure by your description, but it sounds like maybe a bad Ignition Switch or a wiring mix-up.

(1) The ignition switch is always actively linked to the battery via a shared bolted terminal at the Circuit Breaker. So when the switch is turned on, the coil gets connected to the battery and can fire the distributor and spark plugs, thus starting the engine.

(2) The starter will operate when you activate the starter side of the switch .... it grounds the starter solenoid allowing the starter motor to operate.

Both of these operations must occur simultaneously. The battery must always feed the shared terminal at the Circuit Breaker, the the ignition switch must connect to it there.

So it almost sounds like (1) the Ignition Switch is not performing those two required functions, OR (2) the wiring is not correct.

Here's a test of the switch: Using a test wire, by-pass the ignition switch from a battery feed directly to the coil. Hit the starter. If that works the switch is apparently defective.