On Jun 9, 2012, at 4:16 PM, Mike South wrote:

Having
removed the shift box, I need the two ends of this wire to be connected to
each other directly.  Just to get things working, make sure it started,
etc, I used one of those cone-shaped screw-on things.  It starts, good, so
now I want that wire connected permanently.

What's a reliable way to do this?

Mike,
My suggestion would be to solder then shrink-wrap. If the wire itself is
in good shape/condition, that will last "forever".
But, I don't know how much room you have to work with down there.

On a trip a few years ago, I watched someone solder the ends of a
cannabilized jumper cable (4 gauge) together, then tape it up. Had
a small torch so a very hot, open flame, which is hard to beat for
sufficiently heating the parent wires so the solder runs into and
connects the entire bundle. He had shoved the ends of the cable
together, so there was about a 1" woven overlap of the wires.

bob