79 merc 50hp electrical problems

i got a mercury 50hp
its a 1979 thunderbolt ignition with the 4 separate coil packs

im having problems with the wiring from the trigger to the switch box.
the leads are just coming apart like the copper wire is crumbling into pieces
is it possible to just crimp on new leads from the trigger to the switch box and put new ring terminals on them?

does the harness unplug from the trigger or does the whole trigger have to be replaced?

also the 2 yellow leads from the stator to the rectifier melted and one of them actually burned a 2 inch gap in the wire.

wondering what would cause this to happen?
a short across the 2 wires?

is it likely the stator is damaged and needs replaced?
or can i just cut out the bad part and and reconnect the leads to the recitifer?

i will have to replace the rectifier because its melted bigtime, looks toasted to me

thanks for any info
jeff in washington state

Re: 79 merc 50hp electrical problems

I have a '77 Thunderbolt 500, I had the same issue. Heat + fuel vapors + age = wires falling apart. Fortunately my stator was replaced, but the other wires like the main harness, the red hot wire to the starter, and plug wires are suffering the same issue. I have replaced many and will continue to do so, just kinda the nature of the beast. My new trigger wiring appears to be teflon.