David T Posted March 30, 2019 Report Posted March 30, 2019 I posted this pic in another topic, but it seemed appropriate to post under a "wiring" topic. The previous owner converted the system to 12V. By the looks of the wiring, I am not sure how the hell it ran. After setting the fuel system up, I will need to rewire his work. I have plenty of wiring experience on motorcycles, none on cars. Does anyone have a schematic or suggestion for how to rewire the system? I will be buying a new alternator as well..... This is not the worst....the wiring in front of the horns is bad as well...and...all the tail lights/turn signals were removed as well... I appreciate any suggestions and help! Quote
Cold Blue Posted March 31, 2019 Report Posted March 31, 2019 I have not rewired a car - like you, mostly motorcycles. But from the looks of it I would surmise that a new wiring harness is in order. I don't think I could ever sort out that mess - But I could rip it all out and start afresh with a new wiring harness. Just my opinion... Quote
soth122003 Posted March 31, 2019 Report Posted March 31, 2019 (edited) This might help. Edited March 31, 2019 by soth122003 Quote
David T Posted March 31, 2019 Author Report Posted March 31, 2019 @Cold Blue, yep. I agree. @soth122003 Thanks. Whenever I am back in Crestview (here in a few short days) I'll have to buy you a beer. I retired form 7th Special Forces Group right after we moved there...still have a lot of ties in the panhandle! Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 31, 2019 Report Posted March 31, 2019 this guy has a lot of ties, keeps his in a special rack in a closet not a panhandle..... I'll go fix my first cup of coffee for the morning about now.... 1 Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 31, 2019 Report Posted March 31, 2019 (edited) wiring is often an issue in the older cars...rough due to normal wear and tear, add in a few on the fly repairs by a less than knowledgeable person or possibly a few added accessories that were later unbolted but wiring left in place...you soon got this nightmare. I saw a very nice M37 at the swap meet, clean as a whistle, walked by a bit later the hood was up, they were having ignition problems...under the hood the inner compartments, firewall engine showed no signs of cleaning much less painting action to reflect any level of the work done on the body. The wiring harness was also a bowl of spaghetti...many crimped spices, lots of splices with just tape over the twists....had to shake my head and walk away. Edited March 31, 2019 by Plymouthy Adams Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 31, 2019 Report Posted March 31, 2019 (edited) 20 hours ago, David T said: I posted this pic in another topic, but it seemed appropriate to post under a "wiring" topic. The previous owner converted the system to 12V. By the looks of the wiring, I am not sure how the hell it ran. After setting the fuel system up, I will need to rewire his work. I have plenty of wiring experience on motorcycles, none on cars. Does anyone have a schematic or suggestion for how to rewire the system? I will be buying a new alternator as well..... This is not the worst....the wiring in front of the horns is bad as well...and...all the tail lights/turn signals were removed as well... I appreciate any suggestions and help! your first call is going to have to be what power system you wish to utilize, the stock 6 or an upgrade to 12. If staying stock your choices are limited, you wiring will need be heavier gauge and to stay looking period correct be cloth covered wired with special treatment to the terminals. (no modern plastic terminal will fit into this theme) If you go to 12 volt you have an option of many generic wiring harnesses based solely on the number of circuit breakers for added circuit to allow upgrades for modern accessories already optioned in the harness. These are much less costly than the 6 volt original style wires...but again you need to know what your end use and accessory state will be on completion so to buy the proper harness. consider also some companies will make harness for x make and model of components for these retrofit of accessories...be sure if you are not 100% comfortable with wiring that the instructions will cover the base model of the maker of parts you plant to upgrade with. I have 49 fuses, 9 relays and 2 circuit breakers on the 48....all being utilized.....but, you will not need near that however... Edited March 31, 2019 by Plymouthy Adams Quote
David T Posted March 31, 2019 Author Report Posted March 31, 2019 I already ordered all the cloth wire I need to rewire. I will likely keep the alternator as I am only getting it running to drive it around a bit until (might be years) get the 5.7 put in it. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 31, 2019 Report Posted March 31, 2019 That will be a costly short term fix if the ultimate goal is the 5.7 Quote
Dan Hiebert Posted March 31, 2019 Report Posted March 31, 2019 That's a mess. I've never liked getting someone else's project where they didn't remove any of the old wiring when installing "new" wiring for whatever purpose. I've found it easer to just remove all the old stuff and start fresh, that way it's the way you want it. Unless you suddenly develop a passion for wiring cars and want to rewire it again later, I'd rewire for 12v with your end goal in mind so you'll have one less challenge when that time comes. Basic circuits for the good ol' flathead for now, with additional room/circuits for the needs of that 5.7 in the future. But as PA noted, if you wire for 12v you have to stick with it, wiring for 6v will easily transition to 12v (not the other way around tho) but there is additional cost due to heavier gauge requirements of 6v.. Quote
David T Posted March 31, 2019 Author Report Posted March 31, 2019 Not very costly, I will salvage the parts I can (minus wire), the wire I already have, or have ordered it add that to the fact that I am doing the work myself the total bill at start is less than a couple hundred and only because I opted for cloth wire. When I (if) I make the charger swap into the P15, I will likely use the wiring harness/PCM ect for the 5.7, rewire it to simplify. It is a mess and I agree with Dan, I hate getting someone else's wiring project, it is easier to rip it out and redo it. Its already setup for 12V, so that's how its going back. I am using 16, 14, 12 and 10ga wires. Hopefully this week I can get started. Pics will follow. 1 Quote
Dennis Detweiler Posted April 2, 2019 Report Posted April 2, 2019 (edited) Looks like my 39 Plymouth when I bought it. Previous owner crimped new to old and some old had no insulation, so he taped it up. Some crimps came loose. I re-wired one wire at a time and also used an original schematic for confirmation. I bought 4 spools of 4 different guage wires, soldered and used heat shrink tubing on all connectors. I added separate relays for dim and bright lights and horn. I also added 2 fuse panels/blocks, one for "always hot" circuits and one for ignition circuits. I also added 3 braided grounds (body, frame, engine). When finished, I made a new wiring schematic showing fuse panels, wire gauges and routing. The next owner won't have a problem locating wires and connections in an upgraded system. Lights are halogen and bright. Horn is loud. Charging system is great. I used wiring harness tubing to protect all wires. It's a long tedious process, but worth it. Edited April 2, 2019 by Dennis Detweiler correction Quote
MarkB2PW Posted April 3, 2019 Report Posted April 3, 2019 I rewired my 1950 Dodge Power Wagon by removing the old harness and starting fresh with a 12v alternator and coil. Start with the ignition circuit first, then do the lights, horn, and gages next. If you break the rewire project into pieces it's not that difficult. Quote
falconvan Posted April 3, 2019 Report Posted April 3, 2019 The last few cars I rewired I just started with a universal 12 circuit wiring harness from Ebay; they are really inexpensive. That gives you a good base for all your lighting and accessories plus a fuse box. Then I just used the wiring diagram to add what wasn't covered in the kit. https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Circuit-Universal-Wiring-Harness-Muscle-Car-Hot-Rod-Street-Rod-XL-Wires-New/262582318862?hash=item3d2320370e:g:YVwAAOSwFrtbLbyA Quote
David T Posted April 3, 2019 Author Report Posted April 3, 2019 Super cheap price on that kit. Im ordering one now Quote
DJ194950 Posted April 3, 2019 Report Posted April 3, 2019 1 hour ago, Los_Control said: wish it would work for 6 volt https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rebel-Wire-6-VOLT-8-Circuit-Universal-Wiring-Harness-USA-Made/163528715482?hash=item2613122cda:g:NkMAAOSw~NZcWvs6:sc:USPSPriority!95350!US!-1&frcectupt=true Not So Cheap just keep 6 volts, no wonder so many change to 12 volt. DJ Quote
David T Posted April 5, 2019 Author Report Posted April 5, 2019 Now i need to figure out what kinda alternator this is.... Quote
DJ194950 Posted April 5, 2019 Report Posted April 5, 2019 A guess- (1) a wrecking yard cheap alternator. (2) from a Nissan ? I would never use it but since you plan to change in the future anyway?? DJ Quote
David T Posted April 5, 2019 Author Report Posted April 5, 2019 Lol, thats exactly what i was thinking! So funny. Who does that? Im currently in process of trying to figure out which one to use. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.