Fusable Links

[SilverStreak28]

I have a 1977 280z. I have replaced the fusable links and cleaned the wires the best I could but the old wires are so corroded I'm not getting a good connection. Any ideas? I'm losing voltage somewhere also, I think it might have something to do with the radio I put in. Don't know where to start. . . .

[Jeff G 78]

Try Caig DeOxit contact cleaner. You can get it at Guitar Center for around $15 a can. Radio Shack has it, but they get $15 for two tiny cans that are only good for one or two connections each.

[FastWoman]

Which wires are you talking about? Are you trying to solder or crimp-connect wires in the wiring harness?

You can clean corrosion from stranded copper wire by neatly splaying the strands in a fan-like pattern, pulling them through fine sandpaper sandwiched between your fingers, regathering the strands, splaying in another direction, sanding, and then repeating with the strands splayed in yet another position (or two). Eventually you'll expose enough copper to solder (or get a clean crimp).

An approach I've heard about but never tried is to use vinegar, which will supposedly dissolve away the oxidation and then evaporate when you're done with it.

Another tip: You can crimp cleaned wires together inside a very small copper tube, and then fill the tube with molten solder. That will make a marginal connection much more solid.

If you want a good alternative to fusible links, you might try MaxiFuses. I'm thrilled with mine:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35588

Edited October 27, 2009 by FastWoman

[xepher2792]

if you are talking about the ones under the hood on the passenger side personally I just ripped them out and replaced them with a maxi fuse block you dont even have to replace the wiring like the tutorials say you do its just a better idea to

here is the link to the tutorial I used

http://home.bresnan.net/~zbyter/280ZFusableUpG.html