Thread: Making wiring harness?

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Matt, when doing "rough-in" of the wires to the location they're needed, I used bread-ties to hold things in place temporarily. Bread ties for us are tiny guage (18-20?) metal wire with a plastic coating over it. Works great and if/when you need to add a wire or two, simply twist'em open, add your wire(s), and re-close.

Later when you're happy with it, wire tie or tape it permanently into place. Removing the ties along the way of course!

Good idea. I have tons of bread ties.

with out bread ties so be careful.

Sadly the 3 circuits in the boat are just as bad as that, and some of the rats nest is factory.. When I pulled the cap off and looked under it I found lamp cord running thru the wood framework of the cap to the navigation lights. Wired from the factory it looks like. I've heard of old Fiat's being wired with simmilar methods. The old Merc needs new wiring too. Actually that's what I should rewire first. The boat's wiring can wait as I still have to do all the woodwork and put the cap back on.

This is what the hotrod will need to tow when it's done. 1,090 lbs dry on the trailer. 1961 Custom Craft Sea Ray

Originally Posted by Matt167

....1961 Custom Craft Sea Ray

A hole in the water that you'll attempt to fill with money... It'll be a cool old boat if you throw enough time & money at it, but you need to learn how to work on that Merc upper & lower unit yourself. The expense of having outboards worked on in a shop is downright amazing!! It's like they say Ferrari or Lamborghini on the cowl! Sorry, but there's a reason you see a lot of old boats sitting around on trailers with flat tires.

[QUOTE=rspears;. The expense of having outboards worked on in a shop is downright amazing!! It's like they say Ferrari or Lamborghini on the cowl! Sorry, but there's a reason you see a lot of old boats sitting around on trailers with flat tires.[/QUOTE]
The biggest problem with outboards is people don't understand 2 cycles. I have restored several Merc's being the biggest pain in the arse. The ignition system is the common place for trouble. I agree with Roger a boat is a hole in the water in which you throw money.

Yep I know BOAT stands for Bust Out Another Thousand. Been around boats my whole life. This is the first boat I've actually owned, and the first outboard I've actually had to deal with. I have the factory manual for it and have been acquiring the parts slowly. I have a spare magneto, spare set of new points and a water pump kit in the mail for it.. As long as the lower seal is still good and I don't have to pull the power head I should be good. Hoping the lower unit seals are good but if not, I should be able to tackle a reseal job.. It has 150 PSI compression on all 4 cylinders but I haven't put fuel to the fire yet... My grandfather bought the boat new in 1961 and gave it to me last year. I was able to air 1 tire up when I pulled it out, the other was too far rotted and both were sunk 2-3" in the ground.. Last tagged in 2001

I've got it mostly torn apart now. Have to finish building the cradle before I can remove the rotted transom and decking