Hi folks. Friend of mine and I are working on putting together his 76. It was going well until he decided to start it up for another guy and let him hear it run. We had it running before a few times in the rebuild process but, this time, It didn't fire and all at once we smelt electrical smoke and killed everything quickly. After a second to investigate we found that the main lead wires from the harnes just past the fuseable link in the wires that split into two wires and attach to the starter had burnt into. We need to get a replacement wire and now the question...What size fuseable link wire do we need at that point? Don't want to sound stupid but, I looked at the wiring diagram and I cant figure out what size fuse it is or anything. We called our local Chevy dealer and they were NO Help

Thanks for any leads!

Vince

Vince, just look at the original fusiable link.
You can compare the diamiter at one end or the other where it is crimped. Then you can match the gauge to the new gauge. After that, just cut the link to the same length as the original. If you match the two, use fusiable link wire, you are in good shape.

The fusiable link wire is not always easy to find. Some parts stores have them, or you may need to go to an electrical supply.

Thanks Ken. We did find a place that has the wire but, they didn't know the exact size fusiable link we would need. I didn't know for sure either. I think the one thing I need for sure is a wire gauge to start off with. They also had a newer style replacement wire that said for genearl use with GM vehicles. But, there wasn't any years information on it so I didn't know how far back it would work with.

I'll let you now how it comes out.

Vince

Vince, did you investigate why the fuse link burnt up? Something pinched or hooked up wrong? I believe that the rule of thumb is that the replacement is one size smaller than the harness wire. Check everything before you put a new one in.....you can start a fire real easy if something is amuck. I remember 25 years ago when I forgot to hook up the frame to block ground wire on my 55 Chev and burnt the whole underhood harness up.

Just look at the original link wire, near an end, and you can compaire the size to the new one. Use the same thing.

My manual shows the two main wires as 12 gauge with the fused links as 16 gauge.
Mike

Looks like Mike is right. I replaced the fusible link at the starter area, the single red hot which goes up to the wiring harness at firewall. Headlights were out, and that cured it. You may have a bare wire someplace where it goes up past the exhaust manifold, shorting everything out, or the wires could have been loose at the starter area when you hit the button.
I went to NAPA, and bought a generic piece that does not look like the original white fusible link. It is black and rectangular shape, but does the job. Has number 16 on it. If you want, I can go up the street today and see what I bought. Chevy parts department should know this. Go to a Pontiac or Buick dealer, find someone that knows something.
I had a lot of help from this forum when I had that problem. DON'T FORGET TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY WHEN WORKING DOWN THERE. I am sure you know this.
Boatman

Hey guys, thanks again for the good info. We found a standard listing as a GM wire that is fusable link. It looks like a 14 gauge wire. We are going to go with it. We'll let ya know how it goes.

Vince