I need to replace the fusible links on the red 10 gauge wires that go to the starter. Problem is I have no idea what kind/ size/ rating of fusible links I need. Can someone here educate me?

Also; is it common for both red wires to be going into the same ring connector? ...

 

What year ? 83 ? . I am not familiar with that exact year but the later years use 16ga (1.0mm) fusible link wire. There are usually 2-3 fusible links on the starter lug, and yes on one of them there are 2 red wires connected to it (later years 88-89 anyways). If you can post a pic it will clarify things.

 

Yes, a '83.
Here's a pic...

 

Yep thats yer fusible links allright. That's normal to have 2 links on one terminal lug. Sometimes they have 2 red wires coming off one link too. One of those red wires will go to the ign switch, the other one the light switch, Most likely.
Question is, why did it melt ?

 

Up till 85 the starter wires were run under the pass side exhaust manifold. In order to be able to sustain such a hot mounting location they were run thru a metal shield that was bolted to the bell-housing. This metal shield was usually enough to protect the wires from damage, but in some cases the heat-shield itself got hot enough to melt the wiring.

This is an assumption; Starting in 86 GM ran the starter wires across the top pass side of the engine and then down the front pass side to the starter IMO: this was probably done to overcome the melting starter wire problems.

 

Typically, a given harness segment is protected by fusible link that is four gauge numbers smaller. A 14-gauge wire would be protected by an 18-gauge fusible link. A 6-gauge wire would be protected by a 10-gauge link, and so on. Odd number wire gauge sizes like 19, 15, 13 and 11 are counted when sizing a link.

 

Thanks for the replies...

 

Post pics of the Fusible Links that you replaced. I have an 84, I replaced starter but No CRANK OR START. I THINK my links could be gone out,but how do I replace the links themselves? I did convert my headlights to HIDs and installed Leds to replace dashboard lights. Now NO RADIO,LIGHTS, OR DASHBOARD LIGHTS....WAS ALL WORKING JUST fine BEFORE I CHANGED THEM.

 

The links have a ring terminal on one end, that goes onto the same terminal of the starter that the batt cable also goes to; and they splice to the Big Red Wires they protect with butt splices. Solder - rosin core ONLY - is HIGHLY recommended after crimping.

Not hard to figure it out from there.