Underhood fusible links

[Babaganoosh]

How would I go about figuring out how to properly fuse my engine? On my ls swap I'm retaining the factory configuration of the battery to starter, then to the junction block. Also for the battery lug on the alternator will run through the junction block.

Do I need fusible links on both wires? or is just the single wire from the starter to the block sufficient enough to protect the circuits? Isn't the cab protected by one also? What are the locations of the links and amps they are rated for?

The wiring diagrams are useless, they just say "fusible links"
Would getting it running and running a amp meter across each wire be my only solution to find the proper size fuse?

 

[bp71k5]

Delete fusible link and replace with a real fuse. Done.

To figure out which size fuse to replace it with, you can calculate based on the wire gauge.

 

[Babaganoosh]

That is what i want to use is real fuses. I believe the factory used 10 gauge?

 

[bp71k5]

Usually they are one size smaller than the main wire right?

I'd just find a wire of the same gauge that has a fuse on it and use that as a starting point. If it blows, take a look at it more closely to see if it could take a bigger fuse.

 

[mrk5]

This is the info I found on fusible links:

A fusible link is not intended to be used in place of a fuse, only where a fuse cannot be used. When replacing fusible link, the wire gauge used should be 4 gauges smaller than the existing wiring circuit

Brian is right, loose the fusible link and use a fuse.

And like I mentioned in your Garage thread, I still would rather run the feed for the junction block direct from the battery. Same with running the alternator to the battery. But I suppose that's really just personal opinion/preference.

 

[vandelay industries]

The obvious question, for me, is why links vs. fuse in the first place? And differences between the two etc.?

 

[diesel4me]

My guess (and it is only a guess ),is they figured a fusible link allows a temporary overload to be survived,without killing all power right away to critical components like the engine,lights, and some accessories..so you may have a better chance of getting the vehicle safely off the road,instead of just dying suddenly and you losing power steering and brakes,etc,in the event of a "minor" short circuit..

That said,most of todays vehicles now use a BIG fuse rated at 50+ amps to do much the same as the fusible links did..and it doesn't seem to be a big deal..