1968 rude 55hp wiring?

[jdt]

After reading a few posts on here about other peoples wiring problems on similar motors I decided I should look at mine. I noticed some of the wires are real britle and the insulation cracking off. How hard is it to replace the wiring harness? It looks like they are still available for about 170 bucks. I think the engine wiring harness is all I would have to replace. Is it a common problem with the 68 evinrudes? I am afraid to peel the tape back because I don't think I will like what I find. Please advise.
Thanks in advance.
jdt

 

[StratosRob]

Re: 1968 rude 55hp wiring?

Should'nt be hard just draw a map of the wires just incase they are not color for color or number for number. Go nice and slow and dont be in a rush. The older the motor is the more the wires become a problem. Good luck

 

[jdt]

Re: 1968 rude 55hp wiring?

ok, thanks. sounds like a plan.............

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1968 rude 55hp wiring?

In that one year (1968), OMC apparently changed to another company to have their wiring harnesses manufactured. This proved to be a disaster as the insulation after approximately one years time became brittle, cracked, and flaked away revealing bare wires.

Needless to say, the following 1969 models did not follow suit but rather reverted back to the high quality wiring.

I personally rewired many of those engines. If the harness wasn't available, I used a good sized piece of plywood and finishing nails to lay out the engines flaking harness in its original designed layout (straight here, curve there, etc), whatever way those wires had to go.... then replaced them one by one, soldering whatever original terminal they were designed to use. Hellava job!

 

[jdt]

Re: 1968 rude 55hp wiring?

That sounds like a good winter project................