Help! Need pics
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Help! Need pics
Got to looking at the wiring harness on the firewall just below the vaccuum booster on my '79, and it looks all nasty / melted / not good. Can someone please take a picture of theirs and post it? I want to see if mine is any different.
I'm worried that I am running a fire hazard risk... don't wanna have a melted pile of fiberglass sitting on a garage floor someday.
I'm starting to get discouraged with this car. It's leaking brake fluid at the MC, tranny fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and a few drips of motor oil to top it all off. Not to mention rotten bushings all the way around, rip in drivers seat back, surface rust underneath.
I was hoping that I could paint it up and just fix the odds and ends as I go, but now it looks as if the only way to make it reliable is to do a frame off resto.
Funny thing... it runs and drives very very well. The only things that don't function are the clock and the power antenna. Even the 8 track still plays!
I'm worried that I am running a fire hazard risk... don't wanna have a melted pile of fiberglass sitting on a garage floor someday.
I'm starting to get discouraged with this car. It's leaking brake fluid at the MC, tranny fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and a few drips of motor oil to top it all off. Not to mention rotten bushings all the way around, rip in drivers seat back, surface rust underneath.
I was hoping that I could paint it up and just fix the odds and ends as I go, but now it looks as if the only way to make it reliable is to do a frame off resto.
Funny thing... it runs and drives very very well. The only things that don't function are the clock and the power antenna. Even the 8 track still plays!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,413
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
I'm not exactly sure what you need, but I took some pics of the wiring on the firewall. Point me in the right direction and I'll try again.
[Modified by The_Dude, 12:16 AM 11/20/2001]
[Modified by The_Dude, 12:18 AM 11/20/2001]
[Modified by The_Dude, 12:16 AM 11/20/2001]
[Modified by The_Dude, 12:18 AM 11/20/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
I don't have a pic handy but will tell you that when I pulled mine apart, it was FILTHY. It looked like one big ball of grease and dirt. I spent a great deal of time going over the whole wiring harness with 3m Cleaner.
However, melted it not good. You can get a repladement harness for the engine compartment from any vette supplier. Sounds like that would be the way to go.
I found the same thing when I bought my vette and it was low mileage. If not maintained, things dry rot and things leak. This is normal unfortunately. Sounds like a couple of weekend projects and you can still enjoy the car. You'll spend a couple of bucks and scrape a few knuckles, but you'll feel better after. Take it one job at a time.
However, melted it not good. You can get a repladement harness for the engine compartment from any vette supplier. Sounds like that would be the way to go.
I found the same thing when I bought my vette and it was low mileage. If not maintained, things dry rot and things leak. This is normal unfortunately. Sounds like a couple of weekend projects and you can still enjoy the car. You'll spend a couple of bucks and scrape a few knuckles, but you'll feel better after. Take it one job at a time.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
The_Dude:
First of all, thanks for the pictures.
The harness I am talking about is to the right and below the booster in this picture:
78 Vette SA: You are describing almost to a "T" how mine looks.
First of all, thanks for the pictures.
The harness I am talking about is to the right and below the booster in this picture:
78 Vette SA: You are describing almost to a "T" how mine looks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,413
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
I'll try and get you a better picture tonight. I wouldn't get to discouraged. These are old cars and will require some work. Parts may be expensive, but most seem to be readily available. Your car looks to be well worth keeping. I found a '79 L82 4sp that looks to be in very similiar condition for $5995. I'm thinking of buyng it just so I can build a hotrod out of it, and return the '80 to stock.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: winston salem nc
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
yup my harness there looked all melted on my vette when I got it. I freeked out and thought why didnt I see that! Anyways I unhooked it and figured well I need to clean it all good so I can see wassup b4 I go replacing stuff.
Lemme, tell ya underneath the waxy dirty mess that looked dangerous was a perfectly good harness. Yup a tooth brush and degreaser and air hose cleaned that harness up back to new looking.
Give it a cleaning you might be surprised. Also do not get discouraged with the vette, with any old car parts will need replacing, just do things over time with the most pressing item being done 1st. It ll works out in the end, but a old vette is going to cost you in the long run more than a ford fiesta will, but look at what you got, its a trade off.
:seeya
Lemme, tell ya underneath the waxy dirty mess that looked dangerous was a perfectly good harness. Yup a tooth brush and degreaser and air hose cleaned that harness up back to new looking.
Give it a cleaning you might be surprised. Also do not get discouraged with the vette, with any old car parts will need replacing, just do things over time with the most pressing item being done 1st. It ll works out in the end, but a old vette is going to cost you in the long run more than a ford fiesta will, but look at what you got, its a trade off.
:seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
I'm starting to get discouraged with this car. It's leaking brake fluid at the MC, tranny fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and a few drips of motor oil to top it all off. Not to mention rotten bushings all the way around, rip in drivers seat back, surface rust underneath.
I was hoping that I could paint it up and just fix the odds and ends as I go, but now it looks as if the only way to make it reliable is to do a frame off resto.
Funny thing... it runs and drives very very well. The only things that don't function are the clock and the power antenna. Even the 8 track still plays!
I was hoping that I could paint it up and just fix the odds and ends as I go, but now it looks as if the only way to make it reliable is to do a frame off resto.
Funny thing... it runs and drives very very well. The only things that don't function are the clock and the power antenna. Even the 8 track still plays!
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. To add to that, if it is broke fix it.
Gary
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
I'll try to pick up my dad's digicam and take a picture of the harness I am talking about... I feel a bit better knowing a few of you had the same problem.
My problem is mainly lack of patience. Its tough when you finally get to be a proud owner, but you can't drive it.
My problem is mainly lack of patience. Its tough when you finally get to be a proud owner, but you can't drive it.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,413
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
Simon, I'm really sorry, but I spaced out :sleep: and didn't take the pics last night (I'm still recovering from the 70s), and I'm leaving tonight for California. When I was taking pictures the other night, it looked my wires in that area were pretty gooked up with some kind of black gunk that could make them look to be melted. I think you're probably ok. I'll take a picture when I get back on Monday.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: Help! Need pics (The_Dude)
In many cases this black gunk is a sealant that is very similar to melted tar. It is poured on to seal the various openings in the firewall. It is also poured into the windshield wiper area to seal up various openings. My 72 has this stuff on the wiring harness and it does look messy.
Gary
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,413
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From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
The_Dude:
The harness I am talking about is to the right and below the booster
The harness I am talking about is to the right and below the booster
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Help! Need pics (Simon Alexander)
I not sure of this, but there maybe a special dielectric grease that is needed to protect the contacts from dirt, moisture and oxidation.
Anyone else know if this is needed and if so, what product do you use?
Anyone else know if this is needed and if so, what product do you use?