Fabricating New Harness from C100 Bulkhead Connector to Engine, A/C, Etc.

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xcookpac

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Mar 15, 2012
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I am in the beginning stages of fabricating a new harness from the bulkhead connector to the engine for my 1985 El Camino. I thought that I would document the process here. My 1985 EC has the following equipment attributes (which need to be considered for this wiring project:

1. factory gauges for volts, coolant temperature and oil pressure;

2. I want to also run idiot lights for coolant temperature and oil pressure (my recollection is that the gauges had no idiot light backups);

3. I am running a Mountain Man built Quadrajet carburetor;

4. I will be running the electric choke and idle solenoid (which kicks in when A/C is turned-on);

5. The original SI alternator has been replaced with a CS alternator. I purchased a SI-to-CS alternator adapter (however, I will likely cut the one end off and just solder into the new harness);

6. I will be retaining the original oil-pressure switch in the choke circuit;

7. I have installed a ford solenoid adjacent to the battery (on the passenger side);

8. Fusible links will be run from the ford solenoid (mentioned above in point #7);

9. I will be running A/C on my EC;

10. I have installed a power distribution junction block on the firewall; and

11. I intend to run relays for the idle stop solenoid and the choke (this way the voltage can be routed through the relay from the power distribution junction block).
 

xcookpac

Master Mechanic
Mar 15, 2012
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In the GM schematic, the conductors for power supply to the bulkhead (AKA C100) is specified as 3.0 GXL. My real life experience tells me that this should be 12 gauge GXL wire (or perhaps 10 gauge wire). Does anyone have any better explanation of the 3.0 designation by GM for what most would call 12 gauge wire?

PS See attached pic. Pink 3.0 GXL is the conductor for the HEI ignition.
1985_EC_wiring_excerpt_revised.JPG
 

UC645

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Apr 20, 2020
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12 gauge is around 4.8mm (.189 thousandths) if my charts are correct.
10 gauge is a little above 4.9mm.
 
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xcookpac

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QUOTE="xcookpac, post: 786711, member: 12034"]
In the GM schematic, the conductors for power supply to the bulkhead (AKA C100) is specified as 3.0 GXL. My real life experience tells me that this should be 12 gauge GXL wire (or perhaps 10 gauge wire). Does anyone have any better explanation of the 3.0 designation by GM for what most would call 12 gauge wire?

[/QUOTE]


See: https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/wire/wire-gauge-chart.html

9 gauge is the closest to 3.0mm. Could be. But 9 Gauge is an unusual size (does not mean that GM did not spec it that way).

1592315077484.png
 
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UC645

Royal Smart Person
Apr 20, 2020
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12 gauge is around 4.8mm (.189 thousandths) if my charts are correct.
10 gauge is a little above 4.9mm.
It was just a guess, but Ima say there's more than .1mm difference between 10 and 12ga....

Yeah... that info on my end is utterly redundant to what X is looking for. Gotta read things twice before I post from now on.
GXL might refer to the type of wire coating GM used, give me a minute and I’ll check a few places.
 
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xcookpac

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Yeah... that info on my end is utterly redundant to what X is looking for. Gotta read things twice before I post from now on.
GXL might refer to the type of wire coating GM used, give me a minute and I’ll check a few places.


My understanding is that GXL wire is high temp multi strand wiring. For more complete and thorough definition see: https://www.awcwire.com/productspec.aspx?id=type-gxl
 
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UC645

Royal Smart Person
Apr 20, 2020
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Yeah... that info on my end is utterly redundant to what X is looking for. Gotta read things twice before I post from now on.
GXL might refer to the type of wire coating GM used, give me a minute and I’ll check a few places.
It is in fact referring to the type of coating applied to the wire

If you’ve got the pockets, use SXL wire, the coating is thicker and it should have higher oil resistance.
 
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motorheadmike

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Nov 18, 2009
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It is in fact referring to the type of coating applied to the wire

If you’ve got the pockets, use SXL wire, the coating is thicker and it should have higher oil resistance.

Or fix your oil leaks. ;)
 
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