MarcDeSoto Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 I have a brand new wiring harness made for my 1948 DeSoto business coupe still in the box that was made for me by the Egge Co. I don't think Egge even makes wiring harnesses any more judging by their website. They are famous mainly for making pistons and other motor parts. I ordered this harness from Egge back in 1984, just haven't got around to installing it yet. Luckily all the wires have the correct colors and have numbers that are described on a wire function sheet. I sent Egge my original wiring harness for them to copy and when they sent me the new harness, they didn't include the old one. After I complained, they eventually found my original harness and shipped it back to me. I don't think they really copied my harness because the function sheet they included says it is for "sedans and convertibles". But I guess a coupe would not be much differentl from a sedan in the wiring. My question is when during a restoration should the wiring harness be installed. I'm thinking it would come rather late in the restoration, after the engine and cowl and inner panels had been finished and painted and the components, such as the starter and generator installed. The dashboard would also need to finished and ready to go back in. If you have done this already, do you wire the back of the dash before putting it back in the car? And can anyone recommend a good book or website on how to go about installing a wiring harness? Quote
TodFitch Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 Probably depends on how the harness(es) go together. On my '33 there is just one harness and it was easiest to feed the dash stuff through the firewall grommet. On my car if it is possible to remove the dash, I have not discovered it. Nor has any other '33 owner I've talked to. So I pulled the seats out and spent some quality time on my back with my head under the dash. I would install the harness after all mechanical, body and paint work but before interior installation. Quote
Tom Skinner Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 Marc, My Chrysler Royal (1948) Sedan has basically 4 Harnesses. 1. Engine area (Going through Firewall) This includes Ignition wires, Headlights, Directionals,Generator, and Starter, Horn, etc.. 2. Transmission to transmission selenoid from Kickdown switch, and Governor on the Tranny all the way to the Carburator (It's a Fluid Drive). 3. Under the Dash from Heater to clock to Instrument Panel, 4. Rear of Vehicle, Brake Lights and the Directionals etc.. I got mine from Rhode Island Wiring in stages to install with their directions in each package. So your directions should cover installing. Under the Dash is the real complicated/tight as he - double hockey sticks area to tackle, the rest is basically a cake walk. You should have a service manual with a wiring diagram, because it is easy to cross a wire and get bum-fuzzled if you're an electrical idiot like me. I had my directionals wired such that the right was on in the front while the left was on in the back (I wired my Directional Junction Block wrong on my inner front fender) L.O.L. Pay attention because it's easy to screw up. Use lots of Star Washers everywhere to insure proper grounds. Test everything as you go. So if somethings not right you can back up and punt. Good Luck! Why did you wait so long? We ain't getting any younger. Under the Dash work is best tackled with the front seat out and a pillow laying down. Remember don't drink beer upside down. Tom Quote
Niel Hoback Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 Paint the back side of the dash white or a very light color to make it easier to see what you're doing back there. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 My car wasn't a full restoration but when I repainted the dash and rewired the car I installed all the wiring to the dash and then put it in. Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 2, 2015 Author Report Posted January 2, 2015 yes, I did wait too long, but I'm retired now and at last have the time. I agree with Ed that the easiest way to go would be to connect everything that I can to the back of the dash working comfortably on a work table before putting it back in. Then, snaking the wires through the proper holes in the firewall. Why work on my back if I don't have to? Egge Machine didn't include any installation instructions other than the wire function sheet telling what number wire goes where. So Tom, I would love to get a copy of the Rhode Island instructions that you got for your 48 Chrysler Royal since my 48 DeSoto is almost the same car. Quote
Don Coatney Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 I am also in the middle of a re-wire project. Here is a link to my thread. http://p15-d24.com/topic/36548-time-to-re-wire/?hl=rebel Quote
timkingsbury Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 I have a brand new wiring harness made for my 1948 DeSoto business coupe still in the box that was made for me by the Egge Co. I don't think Egge even makes wiring harnesses any more judging by their website. They are famous mainly for making pistons and other motor parts. I ordered this harness from Egge back in 1984, just haven't got around to installing it yet. Luckily all the wires have the correct colors and have numbers that are described on a wire function sheet. I sent Egge my original wiring harness for them to copy and when they sent me the new harness, they didn't include the old one. After I complained, they eventually found my original harness and shipped it back to me. I don't think they really copied my harness because the function sheet they included says it is for "sedans and convertibles". But I guess a coupe would not be much differentl from a sedan in the wiring. My question is when during a restoration should the wiring harness be installed. I'm thinking it would come rather late in the restoration, after the engine and cowl and inner panels had been finished and painted and the components, such as the starter and generator installed. The dashboard would also need to finished and ready to go back in. If you have done this already, do you wire the back of the dash before putting it back in the car? And can anyone recommend a good book or website on how to go about installing a wiring harness? I can recommend a good color coded wiring diagram blown up to a decent size and laminated. I have bought several different versions from this firm and was pleased that I did ! http://www.ebay.com/itm/1946-46-1947-47-1948-48-DeSoto-11-X-17-Laminated-Color-Wiring-Diagram-/361165218294?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item54171fe1f6&vxp=mtr Quote
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