C4ptainCox

And I found this last night...



Any advice for how I should attack this? Where that bright green corrosion is seems to be the only area where the insulation is actually cracked, but the rest is looking like it's going to be very crumbly very soon.

It's an '81 5 speed with L-jet. And that picture is of the wires connecting right next to the positive jump-start terminal.

Mrmerlin

first off,
if you dont already have one, order a hot post cover.

next you may have to do some wire stripping and then resolder the pins to the respective wires after shortening them about an inch

neilh

I had same issue on my 81, when I pulled teh 14 pin connector it fell apart, so I pulled the whole 14 pin plug harness and rebuilt it, and now all my pod gauges, etc read as they should.

Mrmerlin

Damn Neil thats gotta be the worst 14 pin connector I have ever seen

neilh

Thanks Stan ( I think ), and this is on my 81 I have owned from new - and it dd NOT exhibit any problems, I was in there just looking around and that is what i found ! NONE of this was visible from outside, I didn't find an issue until i pulled the 14 pin and flexed the cable. the rebuild used all aircraft grade wiring from Aircraft Spruce ( http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/) and was a SOB to put back in, but the results are worth it,
Here is another shot -

whatudrivin

Neil, about how much did it cost to replace everything?

Lizard928

Call Roger and buy a replacement harness.

neilh

$200 in bulk wire to make the harness in my picture - I used the old harness as a start and made a wire frame to repro it. Plus the connectors from Roger.....

danglerb

I think Carl has a complete front harness as well.

yardpro

make sure when you guys make wire connections use a marine grade connector...and a QUALITY crimper.

those crap crimpers you get for a few dollars are just that... crap.

a good set of crimpers start at about $50.00....

a good quality but splice will cost a buck or two per connector and will have a thick plastic sheath... it will also the plastic sheath will be shrink wrap.

this is the BEST connection possible... a GOOD connector, crimped with PROPER crimper with shrink wrapped tails is a permanent waterproof connecton....

here at the coast, working on boats, etc all my life, i see far to many hardware store connectors fail.... corrosion gets into the wire under the insulation then runs up the wire unseen..... causes many computer issues (also incorrect gauges, etc...)


next is to consider using a modern connector like a detuz or weatherpack... these are great weatherproof connections that are used in ALL modern cars.

personally i am using these new connectors.. they are far superior to what came on our cars.

Chalkboss

Can you provide a link or info where to get these connectors?

Five-8

Colin, i believe the harness for the 81 is NLA at Roger's. I asked back in the fall for one for my 82.
Roger can correct me if i am wrong.

Cheers,

danglerb

Roger may have them, Eagleday has many used in the 928.

The marine grade butt splices at HF get good reviews from pros, or try a place like West Marine.

Practice on something else, learn good technique and use a good crimper.

Five-8

Didn't know about Eagleday...thank you.

Cheers,

yardpro

you can get the connectors at lots of places, just google them....

as for the connectors, i have used the HF connectors, and i agree that they are good quality, as good as the ones i buy from a marine supplier for several dollars per connector.

the HF crimper leaves little to be desired..... it is not as precise as you need.

i have read that the jaw inserts are interchangeable with another quality brnd, and it is cheaper to buy the HF then get the replacement jaws for the other one.... not sure what mae or where i read that.....It may have been in garage journal.