emergency fusable link replacements?

[Brett Dikeman]

So, I'm moving this weekend and the fusable link blows.

I'm staring at the parts counter guy, who's staring back, and says
"fusable links are over there"

Well, they've got nothing but fusable WIRE links, no metal 50-amp fuses or
whatever the hell these bloody fans take.

Anyway, I've got a "14 gauge for 12 gauge wire" link sitting here, marked
as being for 1977 GM's and up.

Is this about the right rating?  I figure, there are three posibilities:
-put it in, fan comes on to #2 speed, nice fireworks display as wire link
goes Poof
-fusable link is right size.  car works fine until I get official part a
few days from now
-fusable link is too big, fan decides to chew itself, -car- goes Poof

I've got about 2-3 hours to fix it, and the car is the only place with A/C
that I have, and -I- am about to go "Poof"...anyone checking mail, who
knows about wire gauges and other electricals?  I don't care if it's
"inelegant", I just need something about right.

Oh...and if the fan's off, are the connections on the fusable link live?
I seem to remember the link is on the negative side, but I can't remember
if I can safely  work on it without disconnecting the battery, but I want
to make sure(a brake line is almost in the way of a screwdriver, that
could cause some fireworks.)


Brett
PS:interesting.  Just sprayed some water in that area of the engine to
cool it down enough to work; some water hit the fusable link, which
started fizzing furiously.  Fan is now running(after run circuit.)
That'll last one bump in the road, but...how wild.  Self-repairing, just
add water...