Fusing , the HEI and Electric choke - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bill72BB · 12-12-2002, 01:47 PM

Just installed a 5 amp fuse ,feeding the HEI and the electric choke on the Edelbrock .
Just was wondering if this was over kill.

fatfords · 12-12-2002, 06:42 PM

Did the carb come with any instructions for the electric choke circuit? Generally, that is a pretty low currrent item.

I looked at a couple of wiring diagrams I have laying around for late 70's/early 80's Chevy trucks and same year Camaros. Almost all of them use a 12 guage wire to power the HEI fed off of a 10 amp ignition fuse. Some also power idiot lights, but they should not be on under normal conditions. Fusing the HEI is a good idea, but I would consider increasing the amperage of the entire circuit.
Remember, size the fuse to protect the wiring first and the load second.
Kent

**MikeB** · 12-12-2002, 06:53 PM

My HEI and Edlebrock carb choke have been wired to the same circuit for many years. Don't know my fuse size, though. If you haven't already done it, make sure you get rid of the resistance wire that was used with the points ditributor. The HEI likes 12 volts or more.

Bill72BB · 12-12-2002, 08:17 PM

I've been using 12 gauge wire for the Hei ,and the choke . thanks for the input ,will probably switch to a 10 amp next time I'm at the part's store.

ChevLoRay · 12-13-2002, 01:25 PM

I had to have a new engine wiring harness, and ordered it from M&H Electrical Fabricators, in Sante Fe Springs, CA. I asked for it to be modified for the HEI that I have. I includes the leads for an electric choke heater, as well as the oil pressure sending unit, neither of which my truck has. You can get them at wiringharness.com.

**ScottH** · 12-13-2002, 03:02 PM

Does the HEI wire have to be fused? I've seen it run to the fuse box where it's connected to a terminal directly. Is this looking for trouble? Should an inline fuse be used?

Thanks.

Bill72BB · 12-13-2002, 03:37 PM

ScottH

I ran it for awhile unfused ,just being cautious .

fatfords · 12-13-2002, 03:46 PM

ScottH,
It is good practice to protect the wire that is providing power with a fuse. Without knowing anything about how your truck is wired, I can't tell you if you really need to add an in-line fuse. I can tell you that even the "unfused ignition" terminals on the fuse block are fed by a 12 guage wire with a fusible link at the battery connection, so it is still protected.

Good Luck,
Kent

SCOTI · 12-13-2002, 05:17 PM

I wired my 68 250 6cyl HEI w/12 guage wire & ran it directly to the fuse block under the dash. It worked fine this way for 2yrs. About a month ago, I couldn't get it to start in the morning. I thought I just flooded & when I checked it again that evening it started right up. Since then it has turned over just fine but taken longer to start. I figured this was because of no choke & recent cold weather (for Dallas anyway) but when leaving work one day it died & wouldn't restart. I found what was left of the solderless connector still stuck to the fuse block & very charred. The wire had no wear spots so I'm not sure what caused the meltdown. I replaced it w/10 guage wire w/20 amp inline blade style fuse for security. I'm rewiring a mustang @ home right now for a guy because the main ignition wire caught the rest of the underdash wires on fire & I know I don't want that happening to my truck.

12-12-2002, 01:47 PM	#1
Bill72BB Thats the Hillbilly way Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance,Ca Posts: 5,980	Fusing , the HEI and Electric choke Just installed a 5 amp fuse ,feeding the HEI and the electric choke on the Edelbrock . Just was wondering if this was over kill. __________________ BILL Torrance Calif 90504 Member DUF Club Member Old Farts Club 72 3/4ton Custom Camper BB402/400 trans Dynomax Cerama-coat headers , Hei distributor ,Edelbrock 1411 air,ps,pb,leafsprings ,98 chevy 60/40 seat,S10 shoulder belts tilt,3.54 Dana 60 rear. 16" Eagle wheels with LT265/75 16 tires,Gaylord Lid,H4 headlights with 100W relay conversion. " If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself " Marriage changes passion...suddenly you're in bed with a relative. A GUY'S PRAYER.... Lord, I pray for a nympho with huge boobs who owns a liquor store and likes to fish and hunt and has a Harley .Amen ,

12-12-2002, 06:42 PM	#2
fatfords Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 350	Did the carb come with any instructions for the electric choke circuit? Generally, that is a pretty low currrent item. I looked at a couple of wiring diagrams I have laying around for late 70's/early 80's Chevy trucks and same year Camaros. Almost all of them use a 12 guage wire to power the HEI fed off of a 10 amp ignition fuse. Some also power idiot lights, but they should not be on under normal conditions. Fusing the HEI is a good idea, but I would consider increasing the amperage of the entire circuit. Remember, size the fuse to protect the wiring first and the load second. Kent __________________ '56 F-100 (w/all GM stuff) Lookin' for another parts chaser! '05 GMC crew cab

12-12-2002, 06:53 PM	#3
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,475	My HEI and Edlebrock carb choke have been wired to the same circuit for many years. Don't know my fuse size, though. If you haven't already done it, make sure you get rid of the resistance wire that was used with the points ditributor. The HEI likes 12 volts or more. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

12-12-2002, 08:17 PM	#4
Bill72BB Thats the Hillbilly way Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance,Ca Posts: 5,980	I've been using 12 gauge wire for the Hei ,and the choke . thanks for the input ,will probably switch to a 10 amp next time I'm at the part's store. __________________ BILL Torrance Calif 90504 Member DUF Club Member Old Farts Club 72 3/4ton Custom Camper BB402/400 trans Dynomax Cerama-coat headers , Hei distributor ,Edelbrock 1411 air,ps,pb,leafsprings ,98 chevy 60/40 seat,S10 shoulder belts tilt,3.54 Dana 60 rear. 16" Eagle wheels with LT265/75 16 tires,Gaylord Lid,H4 headlights with 100W relay conversion. " If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself " Marriage changes passion...suddenly you're in bed with a relative. A GUY'S PRAYER.... Lord, I pray for a nympho with huge boobs who owns a liquor store and likes to fish and hunt and has a Harley .Amen ,

12-13-2002, 01:25 PM	#5
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	I had to have a new engine wiring harness, and ordered it from M&H Electrical Fabricators, in Sante Fe Springs, CA. I asked for it to be modified for the HEI that I have. I includes the leads for an electric choke heater, as well as the oil pressure sending unit, neither of which my truck has. You can get them at wiringharness.com. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

12-13-2002, 03:02 PM	#6
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	Does the HEI wire have to be fused? I've seen it run to the fuse box where it's connected to a terminal directly. Is this looking for trouble? Should an inline fuse be used? Thanks.

12-13-2002, 03:37 PM	#7
Bill72BB Thats the Hillbilly way Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance,Ca Posts: 5,980	ScottH I ran it for awhile unfused ,just being cautious . __________________ BILL Torrance Calif 90504 Member DUF Club Member Old Farts Club 72 3/4ton Custom Camper BB402/400 trans Dynomax Cerama-coat headers , Hei distributor ,Edelbrock 1411 air,ps,pb,leafsprings ,98 chevy 60/40 seat,S10 shoulder belts tilt,3.54 Dana 60 rear. 16" Eagle wheels with LT265/75 16 tires,Gaylord Lid,H4 headlights with 100W relay conversion. " If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself " Marriage changes passion...suddenly you're in bed with a relative. A GUY'S PRAYER.... Lord, I pray for a nympho with huge boobs who owns a liquor store and likes to fish and hunt and has a Harley .Amen ,

12-13-2002, 03:46 PM	#8
fatfords Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 350	ScottH, It is good practice to protect the wire that is providing power with a fuse. Without knowing anything about how your truck is wired, I can't tell you if you really need to add an in-line fuse. I can tell you that even the "unfused ignition" terminals on the fuse block are fed by a 12 guage wire with a fusible link at the battery connection, so it is still protected. Good Luck, Kent __________________ '56 F-100 (w/all GM stuff) Lookin' for another parts chaser! '05 GMC crew cab

12-13-2002, 05:17 PM	#9
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,949	Cheap Insurance I wired my 68 250 6cyl HEI w/12 guage wire & ran it directly to the fuse block under the dash. It worked fine this way for 2yrs. About a month ago, I couldn't get it to start in the morning. I thought I just flooded & when I checked it again that evening it started right up. Since then it has turned over just fine but taken longer to start. I figured this was because of no choke & recent cold weather (for Dallas anyway) but when leaving work one day it died & wouldn't restart. I found what was left of the solderless connector still stuck to the fuse block & very charred. The wire had no wear spots so I'm not sure what caused the meltdown. I replaced it w/10 guage wire w/20 amp inline blade style fuse for security. I'm rewiring a mustang @ home right now for a guy because the main ignition wire caught the rest of the underdash wires on fire & I know I don't want that happening to my truck. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*



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