Need to I.D. a couple of wires

[papabug71]

Guys, I've started pulling the front clip off the truck. Everything is going great. I do have a couple questions on some wiring I want to clean up.

Found this inside the wiring harness, wrapped up in black tape. I'ts been disconnected for some time. 12ga wire, green with no tracer



Naasty little splice from years ago. Could it have gone here? The original wire looks to be in the 10-12ga. vicinity, black, no tracer & is very brittle. This one is getting replaced when the time comes. It was connected to the power side of the starter solinoid.



Also found this wire when I pulled the loom off the wires going up to the voltage reg. Looks like it loops back down. Wondering what it was for. Black wire, no tracer, 10-12ga.



I havent had time to pull the looms/black tape & trace everything. Not to that point yet.

[basketcase0302]

Matt,
Sorry i can't help you much as that part of my wiring harness got so many wires added and changed when I built my truck. Maybe someone else can chime in here with a 71' that can help a little more. I've found my laminated wiring diagram from classic to be a life saver at times for things like this. It's not 100% correct, (I'd found two or three discrepancies) but for the most part really helps, and really useful if your on the side of the road broke down:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-71-Ford-Tr ... 53ea6c269e

[papabug71]

Thanks Jeff. I had printed off a diagram I found here on FORDification, had it laminated & everything. I can't find it to save my life.

I'll trace them down when I have more time. No biggie. I've never had electrical trouble with this truck in any form or fashon, so it can't be anything big. I just want to clean up the crimp on connections & pull all the black tape stuff off & go with the old school looms.

[papabug71]

I just ordered the diagram from classic. I had the same one from the site, but it was black & white. The color wires on classics' diagram should make life alot better, but im not expecting alot of electrical problems.

It will be nice to have justin case.

[Thunderfoot]

Both the Black wires here in the pictures are the Main power wire from the alternator to the battery side of the solenoid. This wire should have (would of had) a fuseable link in it.

Don't know what the green piece might have went too...

[papabug71]

Shayne, do you know the location of the fuseable link? Could it have been where the splice was made & the "newer" wire added in it's place.

[Thunderfoot]

Shayne, do you know the location of the fuseable link? Could it have been where the splice was made & the "newer" wire added in it's place.

Yes, that is usually where they are at in that area... probably why that wire is extra hard and crusty as it has been overloaded/worked and no fuse in it anymore... something caused it to have a problem before to have blown the fuseable link...

[papabug71]

I figured that. You can tell by looking at the wire it got pretty warm.

Grandpaw had a big overload camper on this truck back in the day. He had all the interior lights & clearance lights & fans wired directly to the truck. We yanked them when I got it in '94 right after we took the camper off. He also pulled a boat alot. Spent alot of time going to/from the lake. Im willing to bet between the camper & a trailer, that was enough to roast the wire & fuseable link.

Im just going to completely re-wire this portion. Everything else looks great so far!

[Thunderfoot]

Yeah, the years of recharging the battery from camping (camper draining the battery down, etc.) that alternator wire would have gotten a workout over the years.

[papabug71]

Just to to be sure, IF I do decide to go with a one wire alt... I can disregard the factory voltage reg. & the associated wiring, correct?

I don't think it'll come down to that, but you never know.

[Thunderfoot]

Yes, if you go with a 2 wire 3g alternator you just use the exciter wire to activate the alternator and just wire a new heavier gauge wire to the battery with an inline fuse rated for the alternator.

[papabug71]

Thunderfoot, basketcase0302, thanks for the help guys. I appreciate it alot.

Jeff, I got the diagram from classic in the mail today. This thing is great!

[basketcase0302]

Like I'd said earlier, there are a few discrepancies in the diagram. But for the most part is is a real nice thing to have late at night when the truck starts having fits!
Mine is kept rolled up in the glove box.
Glad to see ya' back Shayne.