Question: Fire wall engine tofuse box connector

[Craig -1965]

1965 Corvette Question, the engine side wiring harness connector at the fuse box (firewall) has been giving me grief. I really don't want to re wire the engine until engine re-build is requried and Corvettes should be driven in the summer not being rewired. The connector is designed pin to pin, why... I have no idea, how about male/female. Therefore, has anyone had any sucess inhancing conductivy with this connection. I assume John or Hib can explain the connectors design intent, which I look forward in hearing.

 

[JohnZ]

You'd have to ask a Packard Electric designer about the specific reason for that terminal configuration, but it's a spring ramp sliding connection on both the male and female sides of the connector. That was the GM standard at the fuse block for many years.

Use a toothbrush and electrical contact cleaner to clean the terminals on both sides, apply a light film of dielectric grease (Radio Shack) to each terminal, and plug it back together; it's a very common midyear issue.

 

[LLC5]

You'd have to ask a Packard Electric designer about the specific reason for that terminal configuration, but it's a spring ramp sliding connection on both the male and female sides of the connector. That was the GM standard at the fuse block for many years.

Use a toothbrush and electrical contact cleaner to clean the terminals on both sides, apply a light film of dielectric grease (Radio Shack) to each terminal, and plug it back together; it's a very common midyear issue.

While you are cleaning and installing dielectric grease, pry the spring clip out farther with a small screw driver to add some tension to the connectors. This will not help a melted connector as is shown in the photo, the temporary fix for that is to remove the the melted pins from both sides of the connectors and run a piece of wire that is the same gauge as the original wire through the hole left from the missing pin and hard wire the connector on both sides. This is actually a permanent fix as is it better than OEM, but not as serviceable if removal is needed, or original if that is important.

 

[Craig -1965]

Fire wall engine to fuse box connector

Thanks for the information, when I first check out the connector thoughts of Lucas electrical flashed in my mind........ Some humor. None of my pins are burnt or melted but show 44 years of aging. I will treat the connector with tender loving care and hpoefully get a couple of years until the Red Head gets re-wired. Although LLC5,s permanent solution has consideable posibilities, thanks again.