Fusible Links

[Chuck G.]

Does anyone know of a source for these ? I checked all of my old Corvette parts books and cannot find them listed as separate items. I don't recall ever seeing them in the trade catalogs either. Were they considered part of the harness ? If one burned up on the car, (doing their job) they must have been able to replace them. Any help appreciated. Thank you. Chuck

[Bill Clupper]

Re: Fusible Links

Chuck, a limited array of Fusible links were serviced through the Standard Parts catalogue, or may also be available as part of a kit of electrical items from Kent-Moore. (Detroit) They were also used in every GM car and Truck from 1967 until very recently, so there is a large supply in salvage yards.

[Bill Clupper]

Re: Fusible Links

Chuck, a limited array of Fusible links were serviced through the Standard Parts catalogue, or may also be available as part of a kit of electrical items from Kent-Moore. (Detroit) They were also used in every GM car and Truck from 1967 until very recently, so there is a large supply in salvage yards.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fusible Links

Chuck----

Basically, fusible links are simple a section of wire that is of larger gauge(smaller diameter) than the wire or circuit it protects. Fusible link wire in 50 foot rolls is available from GM under the following part numbers:

12077140---10 gauge

6293923----12 gauge

6292995----14 gauge

6292996----16 gauge

6293702----18 gauge

6292997----20 gauge

12077141---22 gauge

[Joe L.]

Re: Fusible Links

Chuck----

Basically, fusible links are simple a section of wire that is of larger gauge(smaller diameter) than the wire or circuit it protects. Fusible link wire in 50 foot rolls is available from GM under the following part numbers:

12077140---10 gauge

6293923----12 gauge

6292995----14 gauge

6292996----16 gauge

6293702----18 gauge

6292997----20 gauge

12077141---22 gauge

[Gary Bishop]

Re: Fusible Links

I was able to buy a couple of feet from my local Starter / Alternator rebuilding shop.

[Gary Bishop]

Re: Fusible Links

I was able to buy a couple of feet from my local Starter / Alternator rebuilding shop.

[John H.]

Re: Fusible Links

You will also find them in various lengths and gauges at any NAPA store - I have added them to every Vette I've owned, all of which were '65 or earlier; a burned-up main harness (and maybe the car with it) is not a pretty sight. All you need to remember is that a fusible link is designed to protect a power circuit two sizes larger than the fusible link (for instance, a 14 gauge fusible link will protect a 10 gauge circuit, 16 gauge will protect a 12 gauge circuit, etc.) Just measure the actual gauge of the power feed wire from the (large) terminal on the starter solenoid, and get the corresponding size fusible link (which includes the large lug for the connection to the stud on the solenoid). Cut the existing power feed wire back, splice in the fusible link using a crimped butt-joint connector (slip a piece of heat-shrink tubing over it first before you splice, then heat the shrink tubing after you crimp the joint to seal it). I view this as a safety issue - who's ever going to un-wrap your power feed wire to see if they can find a splice anyway?

[John H.]

Re: Fusible Links

You will also find them in various lengths and gauges at any NAPA store - I have added them to every Vette I've owned, all of which were '65 or earlier; a burned-up main harness (and maybe the car with it) is not a pretty sight. All you need to remember is that a fusible link is designed to protect a power circuit two sizes larger than the fusible link (for instance, a 14 gauge fusible link will protect a 10 gauge circuit, 16 gauge will protect a 12 gauge circuit, etc.) Just measure the actual gauge of the power feed wire from the (large) terminal on the starter solenoid, and get the corresponding size fusible link (which includes the large lug for the connection to the stud on the solenoid). Cut the existing power feed wire back, splice in the fusible link using a crimped butt-joint connector (slip a piece of heat-shrink tubing over it first before you splice, then heat the shrink tubing after you crimp the joint to seal it). I view this as a safety issue - who's ever going to un-wrap your power feed wire to see if they can find a splice anyway?

[Jack H.]

Re: Fusible Links

On early Sharks, the common ones to go live in the engine compartment and attach to the B+ buss bar on the side of the horn relay. You'll find an 'infinite' supply of correct originals at your local scrap yard on Chevy passenger cars of the era....

[Jack H.]

Re: Fusible Links

On early Sharks, the common ones to go live in the engine compartment and attach to the B+ buss bar on the side of the horn relay. You'll find an 'infinite' supply of correct originals at your local scrap yard on Chevy passenger cars of the era....

[Jack H.]

Re: Fusible Links

Later (Shark era) fusible links would be visible external to the harness forming a loop with 'pregnant snake' section color coded for link capacity. So, depending on application/position, just cutting a dissimilar gauge length and butt splicing it inside the harness strategically may not get the factory concours job done...

[Jack H.]

Re: Fusible Links

Later (Shark era) fusible links would be visible external to the harness forming a loop with 'pregnant snake' section color coded for link capacity. So, depending on application/position, just cutting a dissimilar gauge length and butt splicing it inside the harness strategically may not get the factory concours job done...

[Bill Clupper]

Re: Fusible Links

I'm sorry but I have to disagree on the colored "snake belly" It is black on all applications except a very few instances in '67 when clear was experimented with. The capacity (amperage) is coded by the size of the main lead, to which the smaller "fusible" wire is spliced. The black Mold covers the splice. The color of the fusible section may vary, but generally will be the same for equivalent current capacity from a GM pass car of the same year as a Corvette. Some years used different colors on the fusible portion for different capacities, some did not. If you are looking at a specific year, I might be able to give exact information, depending on the year.

[Bill Clupper]

Re: Fusible Links

I'm sorry but I have to disagree on the colored "snake belly" It is black on all applications except a very few instances in '67 when clear was experimented with. The capacity (amperage) is coded by the size of the main lead, to which the smaller "fusible" wire is spliced. The black Mold covers the splice. The color of the fusible section may vary, but generally will be the same for equivalent current capacity from a GM pass car of the same year as a Corvette. Some years used different colors on the fusible portion for different capacities, some did not. If you are looking at a specific year, I might be able to give exact information, depending on the year.