I picked these up with a regulator and engine purchase. I usually have to toss old wiring because it falls apart the moment I bend it. These are still good so I cleaned them off with some silicone rubber treatment and layed them out for examination.
My question is I would like to wrap them with some tape in places but I don't like the electrical tape that turns to goo.
Other than a visual inspection I'm not sure how to determine if the wire can still carry sufficient current to work correctly. Ohm reading?
The simple rule is if the wire's insulation is deteriorating to the point it can not be relied upon to protect you and the wire then you discard it and start anew.
I am well aware that a correct new harness that runs $759 is not a choice for many restorers. However when safety and reliability are the issue and where a failure can easily cost more than the new harness it is time to think about what is really important with the project. You can dispose of originality and complete a lot of wiring repairs a lot cheaper than you think.
True story... while waiting in the drive thru line at the bank in a military truck we smell smoke. Next there is a "POP" and the steering column bursts into flame melting the housing while we are trying to furiously blow it out before the dash catches on fire engulfing the truck. Lucky for us the fire went out.
The cause was a cracked fuse box (what was left of it) allowing loose wires to cross.
After it checks out I'm going to use the wire to test the regulator and see if I can get the charging system to work but I don't plan on using it for long.
I have already looked at the pins in the connectors and It looks very easy to reuse the connector and solder new wire on.
I already made a test wire from one fo the old connectors. I cut the wire off at the base of the pin, drilled out the old wire and soldered a new wire into the pin.
I'm going to do this with the entire charging system harness.
Long story short, my generator is working great but the regulator is not. I think it's the one-way relay.
Kinda neat they came up with a diode before the invention of the diode.
