1981 K20

[Smokinthehippies]

Spent a little time today cleaning up some previous owner wiring mess.
Unfortunately I’m one of the previous owners so I’m partially to blame.

Took out both battery trays and started tracing wires.
Cleaned up a couple of looms already of old wires. Including to the old trailer harness.

I’m gonna clean up a bunch of stuff in the coming weeks. Got a shopping cart full of components on amazon to get it nice and tidy and organized.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Still working on the wiring. I almost think someone did a home job converting this from single to dual headlights.
You can see the awesome strip and twist and cover with tape job they did on the headlight wire. Ironically I’d much rather it be a single round eye but what can you do.

Question. Dark green wire in the loom with the headlights. What is this little plug for? It was just wrapped up and stuffed.

Also got this big silver thing with accompanying little two wire plug. Any ideas? It’s partially melted. I’m working on tracing it but it goes back down behind the engine and is hard to follow. It doesn’t appear to be hooked up to anything but I’m trying to not just nip stuff off.

 

[Bent77]

You’re having fun now

 

[Fastereddie]

Is that single dark green one for the horn?

 

[Smokinthehippies]

No clue. I’ll see if it fits

 

[Smokinthehippies]

You’re having fun now

Not sure I’d go As far as having fun. But at the very least it’s cathartic. I saw @GWeakland620 have so much fun with wiring and it seemed like a good idea to get after it.
.
Sampling of the first of my parts order for wiring. Gonna fun two of the fuse/relay boxes. One for each battery.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Is that single dark green one for the horn?

Good call. I never had one on the passenger side. But it is the horn on other side. That’s one solved! Thanks.

 

[GWeakland620]

Ugh, I can feel my blood pressure and anxiety climbing now.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

So I got all of the wires north of the firewall pulled back and labeled.

Everything on the engine is mostly for the fitech.
I need to get my fat ass up in the engine bay to chase the looms.

In the good news I finally got that silver thing to come apart and was able to clean up enough to find a part number.

Not really sure wtf it actually is but I’m guessing o don’t need it

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I put the part list but forgot to label it.
It’s 477322.
Relay solenoid switch valve throttle control.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Too hot to work, but I did do this.

So much better to see and reach stuff.
Before and after picture with the hood off.
I always made fun of @Deuling but he may have been on to something.

 

[Bent77]

Spaghetti!!

 

[ktmoutfront]

I pull the hood and fenders off if I will be in there for more than one day.

Right fender will fall off if I sneeze hard.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I’ve never done either. I climbed up into the engine bay and got stuck sitting on the core support with my head on the hood. This is much superior.

 

[manchildau65]

I've ripped many pairs of jeans by catching them on random sharp objects underhood or from my late life growth spurts...

Enjoying the build, interested in hearing more about your thoughts on the FiTech.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I’ve only got bout 10 mins of run time in the old driveway and 5 miles of travel to the new house. But it already ran better than it did before. Plus once I figured out all the hookup issues it started right up on the first try so can’t complain bout that.

 

[GWeakland620]

If I worked on my stuff inside, I’d pull my hood too. But you know how Midwest weather is, I gotta be able to seal my stuff up.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

If I worked on my stuff inside, I’d pull my hood too. But you know how Midwest weather is, I gotta be able to seal my stuff up.

On yes. This is the first house I’ve ever had it inside so I guess I never thought of it before. But after doing it I can bet anytime I work under hood in the future she gone.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Question on starter wires.
See below. I’ve got a single wire going to a small lug and a 2 wire going to the big lug.
I’m not great with wiring but my understanding is the small lug is the signal from the key switch to start and the big one is battery feed correct?
I have a bigger power wire that I added way back when for more power direct from the battery.
Is it worthwhile to go with a ford style solenoid? I know I’m going to end up getting a new style starter and a new alternator from @500$k5 but I want to clean up the wiring while I’m here.

 

[beags86]

Correct. Not worth going to a remote solenoid unless you have heat soak starting problems. Imo. Leave it until you buy your new starter.