Topic: 58 Johnson 50hp V4-SL Rotten Cable Harness – Antique Outboard Motor Club,Inc

This topic has 13 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 6 months ago by david-bartlett.

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February 21, 2016 at 10:55 pm #3687
marksoldcresty
Participant
Well I got a surprise when I thought I could just strip away 6 inches of the outboard plug to relay box harness! The wires were literally falling away. The O/B hasn’t been running in for over 10 years. As well as my Dad’s 55′ Crestliner Buccaneer Speedster last being splashed that I’m rebuilding. I could try and use whats left at the plug, but I’m think I’m asking for trouble. So, I’m looking for another harness. I’m wondering where to I start to look? Any suggestions? I thought you might be interested in what I found:
Note-The power cables snapped like dry twigs.
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Note-The cables literally fell away as I removed the 58 year old rubber jacket/sheath.

Any help where to look or a possible fix would be highly appreciated.
~Mark – M.I., FL
February 21, 2016 at 11:11 pm #32296
chris-p
Participant
Either make a new harness and hard wire it in, or buy one from here

http://www.nymarine.ca/wiringharness.htm
February 22, 2016 at 2:39 am #32313
wedgie
Participant
I feel compelled to point out that NY marine’s prices are in Canadian dollars. 😉
February 23, 2016 at 2:45 am #32369
olcah
Participant
US Member
Have the same problem with harness on a 56 RJE-18 although wiring is probably simpler than for a V4. West Marine has light, flexible two conductor marine grade cable in 12 and 16 gage at reasonable price which would take care of the controls for starting (button to relay) and for the choke. They also have 4 gage marine cable for battery hookup (more expensive but length would be short), good quality crimp terminals, battery terminals, etc. So for a small aluminum boat on fresh water one could do his own wiring although the thinner wire cover and insulation would not take abuse like the heavy original OMC harness. The wire would have to be run to minimize damage. Has anyone have experience with this type wiring?
February 23, 2016 at 3:21 am #32370
david-bartlett
Participant
I have used this company before for small items, but they have a pretty extensive inventory of neat stuff.

https://www.brillman.com/
February 23, 2016 at 3:49 am #32371
chris-p
Participant
Olcah,

The ’56 wiring harness is easy to make. There was no connector, it was hard wired. I have made many of them.
February 23, 2016 at 1:02 pm #32385
olcah
Participant
US Member
Thank you David and Chris!
February 23, 2016 at 1:56 pm #32388
wiscoboater
Participant
Making the harness is not that hard, it’s just tedious work. Go at it one wire at a time. For the outer sheath that all the wires go into I used an innertube from a bicycle. One of those thin tubes from like a 10 speed bike, 26" rim. The rubber works well and you end up with like a 5′ piece from 1 26" tube.
February 23, 2016 at 2:28 pm #32389
crosbyman
Participant
Canada Member
automotive jumper cables without their alligator clips provide high amp capacity. you can solder on new connectors. innertube sounds great !

split tubing is also available in various sizes

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂
February 23, 2016 at 9:12 pm #32405
chris-p
Participant
When I build a wiring harness for a ’56 model, I use heat shrink. The larger OD tubing is quite durable. makes for a very professional looking job when you are done.
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