Help with 1968 Wiring
 

Obviously there's a few wires here that need attention. But I'm not sure how to go about replacing them. How do they come out of that block? I dont want to damage more of them if I don't have to. Any help would be appreciated.

Matt

Re: Help with 1968 Wiring
 

This is the main connector between the engine wiring and the cab wiring. It is held together by a small bolt in the center of the connector that threads into the cab side behind the fuse panel. If you remove the bolt you can pull the connector apart and see the wiring terminals on the inside. The nut for the bolt is captured in plastic on the inside connector, and it can spin with the bolt if it is corroded. So use care when taking the bolt out. You might have to remove the fuse panel to access the nut.

These terminals are called Packard terminals and can be tricky to free up from the connector. They have a small leg on the terminal that is bent sideways so that it snaps into the connector to hold it in place. To remove it you have to bend the leg flat with the rest of the terminal to unlock it so you can pull it out of the connector. There's a thread on here that explains it with pictures if I can find it I will post it.

The wire you are showing in the top of the connector is the resistance wire from the ignition switch to the ignition coil and the cloth covering is peeled back showing the wire. This wire is not needed if you convert to HEI ignition which a lot of member do, me included.


Here is the bolt.Attachment 1736984


Here is the terminal and you can see the leg that must be bent.

Attachment 1736985

Re: Help with 1968 Wiring
 

Here's the thread. Scroll down to post 13 and read through 16 for help on removing the terminal.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=148346

Re: Help with 1968 Wiring
 

Awesome. I really appreciate the info. I'll dig into. I just got the truck. I believe the previous owner installed an Electronic Ignition. So if that is the gas, I can just remove that wire?

Re: Help with 1968 Wiring
 

........Yes and that wire splices into a wire from the starter that sends a full 12 volts to the ignition coil in the points system, which gives a hotter spark when cranking the engine for easier start. After running, the ignition reverts back to the resistance wire (shown in your picture) for normal ignition to prevent the coil from overheating.

Here is a diagram of the wiring in the stock trucks. If a previous owner has installed an HEI ignition distributor it needs a full 12 volts and you can disconnect the resistance wire.

notice the starter just above the engine block where the yellow wire joins the W\orange\purple wire from the bulkhead junction.

Attachment 1737074