Underhood Wiring

[enaberif]

So I have a 1980 pickup and was looking at some previous owner hack jobs and came across a really interesting one.

Quite a few of these wires all are hooked up to a bolt, yes a bolt, using eyelets. Now to me this isn't proper and my general assumption is that all these wires that connect to this bolt are ones that should connect to the power block on the firewall?

Or will that overload that block on the firewall?

I found this which does confirm my thoughts.. But do I run two separate wires from the bat +? One running to the starter and the other to the junction box?

[Russ130]

I run all kinds of wires to the junction block on both sides never had it blow yet. Connecting them to a bolt is a hack job and should be corrected if not for any other reason than someone might think you did it and then think you are a hack. You can also run a jumper wire from one terminal to the other on the junction block for added insurance.

[enaberif]

I run all kinds of wires to the junction block on both sides never had it blow yet. Connecting them to a bolt is a hack job and should be corrected if not for any other reason than someone might think you did it and then think you are a hack. You can also run a jumper wire from one terminal to the other on the junction block for added insurance.

OH I know its a hack job I just don't have any spare 14g wire right now to properly fix it.

Do you mean jumping the two posts on the junction box with a wire?

[VileZambonie]

Don't do that. Everything is protected by a fusible link except for the battery cable

[enaberif]

Don't do that. Everything is protected by a fusible link except for the battery cable

No fusible links at all with this hack job

So I assume what your saying is all connections going to this junction box should have a fusible link? Or the junction box is protected by a fusible link?

[VileZambonie]

Yes if you search Hotrod's thread he went through a hack job wiring harness and there's lots of info in that thread.

[enaberif]

Yes if you search Hotrod's thread he went through a hack job wiring harness and there's lots of info in that thread.

Awesome found it.

So yah.. every major wire should have a fusible link which makes sense.

Starter provides power to junction box via postive cable from battery.
Wire from B+ to junction box feeds power to junction box.

Peg #1 =
Starter B+
Alternator

Peg #2 =
Wire to junction box

Correct?

[HAULIN IT]

One thing that you may be sure of, but I didn't notice mentioned. There is somesort of feed from (+) correct, that you are going to eliminate? These aren't a (-) "rigged connection" Right?  Gotta love bad wiring jobs! Lorne

[enaberif]

One thing that you may be sure of, but I didn't notice mentioned. There is somesort of feed from (+) correct, that you are going to eliminate? These aren't a (-) "rigged connection" Right?  Gotta love bad wiring jobs! Lorne

I don't even remember now (its late and I'm tired) how all the connections went. But I remember there being 4 wires (2 soldered together) and 2 others that were all held together by a bolt!

I also heard that you could splice the 2 reds at the alternator so you only have to deal with 1 red wiring running from the alternator.. thoughts or opinions on this?

General consensus seems to do it properly:


OR

[Russ130]

Yes if you wanted you could jump the two posts on the junction block but you shouldn't need it. Yes all circuits should have fusible links to protect them. The junction block is not a fusible link or a circuit breaker it is simply a junction block. You also need to use the correct gauge wire for all circuits.

[enaberif]

Yes if you wanted you could jump the two posts on the junction block but you shouldn't need it. Yes all circuits should have fusible links to protect them. The junction block is not a fusible link or a circuit breaker it is simply a junction block. You also need to use the correct gauge wire for all circuits.

Oh I know I'm going to do it right.. just need to know those of those above pics which is the preferred? I'd rather have as little wires coming off the starter as possible.

[Russ130]

I run 1 wire which is size 1/0 ga to the starter from my battery and then the 12 or 10 ga wire from the ignition switch. That is all you need at the starter. I run a 4 ga wire from the alt to the battery and then a 8 ga wire to the junction block and of course the 16 ga wire to the volt gauge. That should be all you need for the alt wiring. Everything else comes off the junction block and has the appropriate fusible links for the circuit.