Rewire or not to rewire

[lucky 1985]

Thanks for the pictures! They tell a great story! I'm jealous!!

I have a SBC 350 swap, and as much as I've spent, I know I would have been much happier with an LS swap. But...I thought the LS and all of it's electronics would have been beyond my skill level.

My next big expence is a Vintage AC System. My old AC/Heater Box was beyond repair. I've got to pull the dash and replace all of the old hoses and clean 38 years of gunk out of the hard-plastic ducting. If I decide to rewire, that will probably be the best time to tackle the job.

K-Toe, will you buy just the components from Vintage Air and retro fit to your EC? I don't think they make a complete VA system for G body cars.

 

[lucky 1985]

I helped my neighbor put a Vintage Air setup in his 67 Camaro, not too bad to do.

The biggest thing about wiring, is a wire has two ends so put them where they need to go. It's that simple no matter how many of them you have.

Seriously? I was in the vintage power steering business for over 30 years. I wish I had a dollar for everybody who said "it's just a pump and a steering gear". Yeah, Riiiight.....

 

[mikester]

FYI, if you pull the harness off the back of the dash make sure you put it back in the EXACT place it was in when you started. I found the clips that get taped into the harness and snap into the holes on the back of the dash on ebay. They were cheap. They keep the harness in place when you put the dash back in. I made the mistake of moving the harness over a little over an inch. Didnt realize it when I was putting it back together. Put the dash back in and when I tried to put the cluster back in the harness was in the way on the far left side. Dash came back out. I wasnt happy.

 

[K-Toe]

K-Toe, will you buy just the components from Vintage Air and retro fit to your EC? I don't think they make a complete VA system for G body cars.

I was looking at their Compac/Gen II System (part #68000-VUZ-A). It is smaller than their Gen I/V Magnum and should be more than sufficient for El Caminos (at least that is what I was advised).

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

Seriously? I was in the vintage power steering business for over 30 years. I wish I had a dollar for everybody who said "it's just a pump and a steering gear". Yeah, Riiiight.....

Well, unless you're colorblind when it comes to wiring..

 

[lucky 1985]

I was looking at their Compac/Gen II System (part #68000-VUZ-A). It is smaller than their Gen I/V Magnum and should be more than sufficient for El Caminos (at least that is what I was advised).

Yeah, the Gen II series looks more compact. Lost 5 inches in width and 3 inches in depth compared to the Gen I. Good to know!

I see now Vintage Air has several G body kits available.

 

[abbey castro]

Key to any wiring is to wrap wires that are going to end up close to each other (Location) and/or function. These "legs" of wire begin to make your harness look clean. That is why OEM harness use looms to keep wires in bunches and only the terminal at the component sticks out of it a few inches. Like Built6 shows. The bird's nest of wires seems daunting but once you break it down into smaller bunches it become manageable. Label each end as to what component it ends at. This is my harness of wires to power the e-fans. Line ties are great to keep them together. Lay it out in your mind and then layout in the car and start to make the bundles of wires. I routed mine in car with only a few ties then took it out and loomed it.

 

[K-Toe]

Key to any wiring is to wrap wires that are going to end up close to each other (Location) and/or function. These "legs" of wire begin to make your harness look clean. That is why OEM harness use looms to keep wires in bunches and only the terminal at the component sticks out of it a few inches. Like Built6 shows. The bird's nest of wires seems daunting but once you break it down into smaller bunches it become manageable. Label each end as to what component it ends at. This is my harness of wires to power the e-fans. Line ties are great to keep them together. Lay it out in your mind and then layout in the car and start to make the bundles of wires. I routed mine in car with only a few ties then took it out and loomed it.

I refreshed my engine harness, and the e-fan wiring is new. I tucked and hid wiring where possible, and I'm happy with the wiring work in the engine bay (less the ground issue with my wipers).

I appreciate the points you've made. I will take them to heart when I remove my dash. The wiring behind the dash is a rat's nest of shoddy work from a previous owner.

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

Yup, as mentioned like you see in mine things are taped together and the ends have labels. That's the way to do it.
Anything is a mess until you organize it, just takes time.

 

[lucky 1985]

Yup, as mentioned like you see in mine things are taped together and the ends have labels. That's the way to do it.
Anything is a mess until you organize it, just takes time.

Good advice, thanks!