I'm thinking about cleaning up my Corolla's engine bay. I'm not looking to do any wire tucking, but instead cleaning it up a bit. There are just too many wires on the positive battery terminal, and I want to eliminate that clutter. I'm thinking maybe a distribution block on the inner fender wall or firewall. Should any of you fellow nostalgic owners have tips and the pics (before/after) to back it up, please do share!

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1980 Toyota Corolla 2DR Sedan - 3TC Street Modded
1980 Datsun B310 Coupe - Low + Slow
2006 Scion xB - DD

Theres a lot you can do without doing an actual "wire tuck."

Here are the things I would look at doing (in no particular order):

1. Engine degreaser. A good spraying of engine degreaser and a power wash can work wonders. Will remove dirt, grime, and grease that has built up over the years.
2.All new nick-nacks (oil cap, radiator cap, fuse box lid, plug wires, etc.)
3. Paint. A good coat of paint or powder coat can work wonders. Clean off and coat your valve cover, air cleaner box, windshield wiper motor, etc.
4. Reroute everything. You dont have to go crazy and do a wire tuck, but sorting out your wires and such so they arent a birds nest helps. You can easily route things through holes in the inner fenders, hide relays under other items etc. None of that should really require cutting and lengthening of wires, but maybe unplugging at the source.

Here is a before and after on my 1969 Datsun 510. Other than the powderwork, I have aprox. $75 into this:

Before:



After:

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--Tristin
1969 Datsun 510 4dr.

^god bless that post^

Tristan, do you have a sound system, electric fan or other electronics on that car? Because I have too many wires on the positive terminal of the battery. I want to find a way to eliminate all that clutter. Anyone?

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1980 Toyota Corolla 2DR Sedan - 3TC Street Modded
1980 Datsun B310 Coupe - Low + Slow
2006 Scion xB - DD

Auto electrical systems are supplied and fused through a fuse box and fusible Link Boxes, not additional wires running across the engine bay to the battery. If your fuse box is full, get an additional one.

A very clean install is to keep a distribution block with enough legs for the heavy items:

A)from Batt
B)To Starter
C)To Alternator
D)To Fusible Link->Fuse Box
E)Aux (extra connection)

Your fans, radio, etc. need will then draw power from the fusible link terminal off your dist. block and then fused at the recommended amperage.

You can purchase these, but I have made one from a piece of 1/4" copper, drilled and tapped for distribution, and attached to a 1/2" piece of micarta. Use no less than 4 awg for the runs, and ground your engine block to the chassis (like a shock tower) with 4 awg. Your starter and alternator will thank you.

Most of our older cars don't have fusible link boxes under the hood, but any 80's and newer car in the junkyard should have them. Snag one and run the important stuff directly to this box; ignition, fans, fuel pump, etc. and use the Main to feed the cabin fuse panel, route these wires directly into/along the harness and it will look very factory. At the junk yard make sure to snag the line feeding the box as well as any connections leaving the terminals, that way you can de-pin and re-solder any terminals.

I'll try to get some pics of my distribution block when I get home.

edit: I change my recommendations from 2 to 4 awg for the short runs and engine ground. Although I would suggest 2 awg for a rear located battery.

Thank you


I dont at the moment; strictly old school right now. I will be adding a hidden iPhone controlled stereo in the future, but thats it. No other added electronics are planned.

As stated in the post above me, a distrobution block is the way to go. There really should only be one lead on each batter terminal. That will minimize post corrosion as well as ensure that whatever is attached to the battery is getting full connection. You can buy some decently priced blocks on a site like Summit Racing or you can sometimes snag them out of junkyard muscle cars...

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--Tristin
1969 Datsun 510 4dr.

I found high quality battery terminals



https://www.google.com/search?q=metra+t ... 96&bih=604

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Information = POWER

If you post a picture of your bay, you might be able to get some opinions on what to do.

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--Tristin
1969 Datsun 510 4dr.