I'm in the process of completeing my '71 Skylark 350-455 swap. In the process I found an oddity in my wiring harness. At the same place where the coolant temp sensor, AC connector, Alt. connections, and coil connection come out of the harness, there is one other connector. It's a 2 blade female connector with two red wires going to it. The connector was covered with tape, and it was holding a very large resistor in place, obviously put there by the previous owner. Does anyone know what this connector is for, and why someone would have put this resistor there? If this isn't needed, I'd like to just cut the connector off, tape off the wires, and then cover them up when I re-tape the entire engine harness. Thanks! Scott
How many wires go to your existing alternator (was going to say current alternator)? Could it be that your system came with a three connection alternator and an external voltage regulator and was converted to a internally regulated alternator? Just a thought. Dale
Shot in the dark Could it be the thermal limiter for the AC compressor? Not sure if they had them on a '71 or not and not sure how slots it would have. My '73 225 has a 3 slot female plug that a 3 blade thermal limiter fuse plugs into. Its basically a black rectange of plastic that encases an internal resistor that melts if the compressor runs low on freon. I think the wires on it leads to the same place that other wires like you mention go to. Again, just a complete shot in the dark on this one.
I have a '71 350 with such a wire. It has a black female connector that goes to the idle stop solenoid on manual tranies. I'll look again tomorrow to make sure it's two wires and not one. But it goes unconnected on auto trans engine where there would be a dash pot mounted instead. I have mine just taped up layin on the intake. Makes you wonder why they put some connectors on and leave other more important ones off if such an item was or wasn't requested. ala Tach hookup.. Scott
