New C30 rollback;wiring question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KIILew · 12-17-2006, 03:55 AM

You're about to learn just how uninitiated I am...

I am finally starting to play with my recent ’78 C30 flatbed purchase…and I have some electrical gremlins to solve. Maybe someone here can help me as I start in. Without jumping in to the myriad of electrical issues, here are a few initial issues and questions…

At some point, a previous owner installed top mount battery cables, with a 2-wire setup connected to the positive terminal. It appears that the second and smaller of these two wires (which appears to be a 10 gauge or so) supplies power to the fuse block. Moreover, it is clear to me that some previous owner installed this wire himself, and perhaps used this to replace wiring that would otherwise source electrical power from a stud on the starter solenoid (according to the factory wiring diagrams I have seen). I am afraid that the installer might have even removed the fusible link which I think should be present somewhere in the circuit. Tomorrow I intend to see if this wire terminates at the 2-stud junction block located on the firewall. This isn’t obvious without running some sort of continuity test as the wire in question disappears into a conduit buried between the firewall and distributor containing several other similar red wires (at least one of which is fastened to one of the two junction studs).

Does anyone have any thoughts regarding where the fuse box would best receive its power; i.e. when I replace this wire (which has cracked insulation, etc.) should I retain the direct install to the battery post, or should I reposition it to the starter solenoid? At any rate, I intend to make sure that a fusible link is in place, whatever I do.

In anticipation of this project, I purchased a 14 gauge fusible link at Autozone, which is packaged with a crimp connector. I am thinking that I will probably discard the provided connector and solder the connections instead. Any ideas on the advisability of connecting wires one way or the other?

Just thought I would ask.

Ken Lewis

12-17-2006, 03:55 AM	#1
KIILew Active Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Prosser, WA 99350 Posts: 147	New C30 rollback;wiring question You're about to learn just how uninitiated I am... I am finally starting to play with my recent ’78 C30 flatbed purchase…and I have some electrical gremlins to solve. Maybe someone here can help me as I start in. Without jumping in to the myriad of electrical issues, here are a few initial issues and questions… At some point, a previous owner installed top mount battery cables, with a 2-wire setup connected to the positive terminal. It appears that the second and smaller of these two wires (which appears to be a 10 gauge or so) supplies power to the fuse block. Moreover, it is clear to me that some previous owner installed this wire himself, and perhaps used this to replace wiring that would otherwise source electrical power from a stud on the starter solenoid (according to the factory wiring diagrams I have seen). I am afraid that the installer might have even removed the fusible link which I think should be present somewhere in the circuit. Tomorrow I intend to see if this wire terminates at the 2-stud junction block located on the firewall. This isn’t obvious without running some sort of continuity test as the wire in question disappears into a conduit buried between the firewall and distributor containing several other similar red wires (at least one of which is fastened to one of the two junction studs). Does anyone have any thoughts regarding where the fuse box would best receive its power; i.e. when I replace this wire (which has cracked insulation, etc.) should I retain the direct install to the battery post, or should I reposition it to the starter solenoid? At any rate, I intend to make sure that a fusible link is in place, whatever I do. In anticipation of this project, I purchased a 14 gauge fusible link at Autozone, which is packaged with a crimp connector. I am thinking that I will probably discard the provided connector and solder the connections instead. Any ideas on the advisability of connecting wires one way or the other? Just thought I would ask. Ken Lewis



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