I am in the middle of a V6 to V8 swap and the harness I've purchased has 3 red wires (one 10ga & two 12ga) that were cut (along with the purple starter solenoid wire & blue knock sensor wire). They run through the wire-loom which travels along right side (passenger) of the plenum/runners .

My question is: Are these 3 red wires supposed to go to the starter and are they supposed to have 16 amp fuses in line?

 

I think you are referring to the wires that usually have a black or white fusible link on them?

 

Yup-I believe those are them! Where do they go? What happens if they don't have a fuse able link?

 

The go to the large lug of your starter so basically the battery positive cable. You can buy fusible like from the auto parts store to help protect your car from a fire.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/rep...00c15280217ea7

 

One of the thinner 12ga wires couples up To the larger 10ga wire. How do I differentiate from the two 12ga wires? Which one couples to the thicker wire? Does it matter?

I think the fuseable links can be eliminated, right!? I know they're not used on the earlier cars I've built (Chevelles, El Caminos, Gen I & II Camaros, etc.) in the past. Are the third gens really any different?

 

Got a picture of what you are trying to repair ?
The rule of thumb is the fusable link is 2 gauges smaller that the wire it connects to.

 

See the pic above? The 3 red wires are cut before the fuseable links (they're missing). The rest of the info is in the thread.

 

Ok, so just buy some 12 gauge fusible link to fix the 10 gauge wire some 14 gauge to fix the 12 gauge wire and some eye lets, solder and shrink tube and call it a day.

 

Are the fusable links needed? Why can't I just go direct like earlier vehicles?

 

If you don't care if those circuits are not protected if the wires ever chafe , melt and get grounded and catch your car on fire don't fix them.