Rebuild the old harness or get a replacement?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 691
Likes: 1
From: gilboa ny
Rebuild the old harness or get a replacement?
Finally the body is far enough along on my 74 project car that Im looking at wiring and interior. So Ive got a big box full of harnesses. Bought the car disassembled so no real way to know how troublesome the electrical system was before.
So I could rebuild the old harness replacing any bad looking wire
or get a stock replacement
Or do one of the replacement harnesses like painless or speedway.
Still weighing out the options. What do most folks do when they get to this point?
So I could rebuild the old harness replacing any bad looking wire
or get a stock replacement
Or do one of the replacement harnesses like painless or speedway.
Still weighing out the options. What do most folks do when they get to this point?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 9
From: Winston Ga.
cant speak with experience as I have not done it but if it were me and I was looking at a 40 year old harness already out of the car...
it would get a new one. they are not that expensive and youll have less time in it than the repairs would take to make up for the cost. miss repair the old one and spend time trouble shooting.
it would get a new one. they are not that expensive and youll have less time in it than the repairs would take to make up for the cost. miss repair the old one and spend time trouble shooting.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Lancaster Kentucky
Nearing a similar point on my project, any of you guys have a vendor that is better (cheaper) than the rest? I'm looking at replacing nearly all of the wiring and I don't want to break the bank if I don't have to.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,711
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I would go with new, stock style harnesses. Unless your car is highly modified or intended as a strip car, the stock style will cover all of your accessories. The problem with refurbishing the old ones is that the plugs will fall appart along with the insulation on the wiring.
I'd go with Lectric Limited harnesses. Willcox has them and usually has a special of some kind going on. Can't beat the price.
I'd go with Lectric Limited harnesses. Willcox has them and usually has a special of some kind going on. Can't beat the price.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
M and H makes some fantastic plug and play (literally!) harnesses for the A and F bodys see if they have them for Vettes also
They are a perfect fit, no fabbing/cutting needed. Just plug it in and go.
They are a perfect fit, no fabbing/cutting needed. Just plug it in and go.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi LA,
I agree with CALV that the reproduction harnesses from Lectric Limited are the ones to use.
They aren't 'cheap', but they're certainly very good.
A dash harness is a bit of work to install so be prepared to spend some time.
You install the harness as you put the dash together so you're continuously covering up what you've just done. It's a good idea to test everything as you proceed.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I agree with CALV that the reproduction harnesses from Lectric Limited are the ones to use.
They aren't 'cheap', but they're certainly very good.
A dash harness is a bit of work to install so be prepared to spend some time.
You install the harness as you put the dash together so you're continuously covering up what you've just done. It's a good idea to test everything as you proceed.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 692
Likes: 1
From: Peabody Ma.
If its all apart...
I would Install the factory harness and test as you go! You could lay it out on a table, and first visually inspect the wires and connectors.
I removed my harness (81) I only found 2 spots that need repair, clutch start/switch, and the radio section
I would Install the factory harness and test as you go! You could lay it out on a table, and first visually inspect the wires and connectors.
I removed my harness (81) I only found 2 spots that need repair, clutch start/switch, and the radio section
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 229
Likes: 3
From: Highland MI
Just started on the wires of my box bought 69. I started to take the wrap off the old harnesses and found broken wires that would have been a real problem. I am buying an all new interior so the last thing I needed was a fire. I bought all new harnesses about two months ago. Did all the cost comparisons of the Lectric Limited harnesses. All seam to come out within a couple dollars. This included the ones that were on sale. I ended up saving maybe $30 on the whole car buying most of them from Full Throttle Corvettes in Atlanta. They sell on ebay.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What condition are your original harnesses in? Do they look like Bubba has gotten to them? If they are otherwise in good shape, originals are almost always better than aftermarket replacements.
If you replace, Lectric Limited is the only way to go.
If you replace, Lectric Limited is the only way to go.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 12
From: Ocala, Florida
I used a harness from Speedway. Very good 20 circuit harness only one problem with it, on wiring the ignition switch there schematic has an error " ground not for start" is misleading DO NOT ground this pin you will end up with a direct short when you hook the battery. But the harness is very good quality. Another tip use there directions along side the factory diagram. Everything on my car works very well. JAY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,945
Likes: 851
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i forget the name of it but there is a system of modules off the main fuse box, you place modules around the car and run short wires from the satellite modules. i have heard they work very well and install quickly. i wouldn't use it on an assembled car but one you are putting together would work out great.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Harness
Check and see if you can have the dash harness refurbished. I had a company in NJ do this for me since the dash harness installation can be a real challenge if not original. Mine came out as good as new. Much easier to reinstall versus new.
Take detailed pictures of how the dash harness in in place. It must be in almost perfect to get the dash components to fit properly not to mention the steering column. Alan is right when he says the dash harness install is a real challenge. Once it is in correctly everything falls right in place so you will know it is in right.
I prefer M&H because they were far more cooperative in terms of making sure the new harnesses best matched the originals. I sent the originals in with the order. We even reused a couple connectors off the originals since some connectors are no longer available. If memory serves me there were at least a couple connectors on the starter wires we had to reuse and the one end of the battery cables.
Bill
Take detailed pictures of how the dash harness in in place. It must be in almost perfect to get the dash components to fit properly not to mention the steering column. Alan is right when he says the dash harness install is a real challenge. Once it is in correctly everything falls right in place so you will know it is in right.
I prefer M&H because they were far more cooperative in terms of making sure the new harnesses best matched the originals. I sent the originals in with the order. We even reused a couple connectors off the originals since some connectors are no longer available. If memory serves me there were at least a couple connectors on the starter wires we had to reuse and the one end of the battery cables.
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 8
From: St.Augustine FL
harness
good advice from all above. as wire harness's age the wire corrodes under its insulation(coating),even if the insulation looks ok, after thirty plus years the resistance in the wire has increased dramatically,which will cause bulbs to not be as bright and grounds become less than acceptable.put lectriclimited in mine front to back,they matched the originals perfectly.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 691
Likes: 1
From: gilboa ny
Thats what Im afraid of,everything looks good,tests ok then disintegrates cause its a half century old as soon as I start driving.
I have the painless and speedway catalogs, Ill have to look into lectric when I get home. Im away at a conference on my wifes laptop with really bad wifi so reseaching much wont happen till weekend.
Would like to use the old and save a few bucks but Im in this far,hate to have a fire or spend the next 2 years chasing elecric problems.
As soon as I get the hood off my workbench Ill take the old harness out and look it over,but the PO said he planned on using the painless harness to complete which makes me think he was having some trouble.thanks guys.
I have the painless and speedway catalogs, Ill have to look into lectric when I get home. Im away at a conference on my wifes laptop with really bad wifi so reseaching much wont happen till weekend.
Would like to use the old and save a few bucks but Im in this far,hate to have a fire or spend the next 2 years chasing elecric problems.
As soon as I get the hood off my workbench Ill take the old harness out and look it over,but the PO said he planned on using the painless harness to complete which makes me think he was having some trouble.thanks guys.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 691
Likes: 1
From: gilboa ny
1974ta I wish! Cant get photos of how it looked when I bought the car the harness was in a box.If I had a better idea of how it all worked before I might be more willing to reuse some of it.
Ok there are some cuts and non stock looking parts.Been reseaching across every wiring thread I can find on every car website. With the aftermarket hei, planned led lights and non stock headlights Im thinking a stock harness would end up needing enough modifications that it wouldnt be worth the money. And paying top dollar to end up with a patchwork harness sounds like a bad idea.
Looking into a univesal harness I see painless gets the most attention, highest price as well lol.
EZ-wiring has lots of good reviews but looks like its probably import. Rebel wire is SXL wire made in usa good price point.
Those are the 3 that stand out looking at a multitude of forums.
Anybody here use any of those universal harneses?
Ok there are some cuts and non stock looking parts.Been reseaching across every wiring thread I can find on every car website. With the aftermarket hei, planned led lights and non stock headlights Im thinking a stock harness would end up needing enough modifications that it wouldnt be worth the money. And paying top dollar to end up with a patchwork harness sounds like a bad idea.
Looking into a univesal harness I see painless gets the most attention, highest price as well lol.
EZ-wiring has lots of good reviews but looks like its probably import. Rebel wire is SXL wire made in usa good price point.
Those are the 3 that stand out looking at a multitude of forums.
Anybody here use any of those universal harneses?
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,618
Likes: 7,068
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Universal harnesses might take as much time to modify as repairing an old harness.
I like to save money......but....I spent 3 hours fixing 50% of "Bubba's electrical bypass work".....(I spent a week re-doing the wiring on my '36 truck to accept a '93 chevy harness/drivetrain)
The aftermarket harness takes 3 hours total to install....so much for saving $250......LOL!!!
I like to save money......but....I spent 3 hours fixing 50% of "Bubba's electrical bypass work".....(I spent a week re-doing the wiring on my '36 truck to accept a '93 chevy harness/drivetrain)
The aftermarket harness takes 3 hours total to install....so much for saving $250......LOL!!!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I did my 65 Impala with a universal American Autowire harness in the spring. It's got a bunch of non-stock stuff so it made sense to go that way. It takes a fair bit of time to do neatly and cleanly. I ended up unwrapping the whole harness and re-routing all the wires and even re-terminating the plugs that were pre-terminated to get the lengths correct. I didn't keep track of my time but it was spread out over about 3 weeks so it was easily 100+ hours. You'll also have to recover a bunch of the terminal housings and get new terminals spending $40 or $50 more on new Packard terminals. You'll need a decent crimp tool too, another $40 or $50 or more off ebay.
A bit of advice. Use lots of tywraps. Route all the wires and tywrap them into bundles until you're got each bit of harness ending where it should and you're happy with the overall layout. Use 3 tywraps on each part of the harness where wires split off the harness to go different directions. Don't be afraid to cut-off and re-tywrap parts as you lay it out. Then, start terminating wires to each connector from close to the fuse block working out to the ends of the harness.
A bit of advice. Use lots of tywraps. Route all the wires and tywrap them into bundles until you're got each bit of harness ending where it should and you're happy with the overall layout. Use 3 tywraps on each part of the harness where wires split off the harness to go different directions. Don't be afraid to cut-off and re-tywrap parts as you lay it out. Then, start terminating wires to each connector from close to the fuse block working out to the ends of the harness.