Ignition wire gauge?

[1960 Starflite]

1975 '850' . Type III the ignition wire is broken or corroded inside the wire loom from console to engine. I'm getting flaky voltage to the ignition post on switch box. I ran a 16 gauge from ignition switch to switch box and all is well. Engine started quickly.

Question: Is 16 gauge X 12' sufficient for Ignition to operate correctly ?

 

[Chris1956]

What was the original gauge? All the wires in the loom (harness) were the same, except for the battery cables.

Check the ign wire at the quick disconnect plug. It should be the center one. They break there often. I was able to repair my ign wire at that point with some drilling to expose the female side of the quick disconnect plug and some solder to attach a new 4" piece of wire to the harness and plug. A bit of silicone sealed it.

 

[1960 Starflite]

The old wiring is 16 gauge. Couple of years ago I'd spliced (soldered) a cable (8 wire 14 gauge) into the old 6 " from engine female coupling. Thought the wires from there to coupling were good (wrong). I'm running a 14 gauge wire from console to switch box (summer) is here

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, I was able to solder a new wire to the female ign connector and solder it to the boat harness on my '77 Merc 1500. It lasted years. I drilled into the female quick connect plug from the rear and pushed out the female connecter, if memory serves. Of course it was probably 30 years ago.....