63 Two Red Wires to Coil

[Thomas S.]

1963 Roadster
The 63 AIM shows the two red wires off the engine compartment harness to be "looped" back and taped. I realize that AIM diagrams shown in the front sections are without options. I have a full set of shielding because of the radio option and if I loop back those two red wires as shown, the wires are very tight agains the lower edge of the distributor shielding. So the only way to gain clearance is to not run those two red wire through any straps nor tape is as shown in the AIM.

I've seen other images on this forum showing those two wires just hanging behind the shielding all the way back to where they exit the harness. Is that correct?

[Dan H.]

Re: 63 Two Red Wires to Coil

Thomas, I think 63/64 wires to coil should be pink/black striped. 65 on up used a pink solid wire, even NOS GM harnesses are like that. Be super careful that the shielding doesn't damage the wire, I don't run with top shield on ever. The lengths changed so be careful of what you have, repro etc. The NOS ones are quite long, probably to avoid this issue.
Dan

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Two Red Wires to Coil

Like Dan I never have the top shield on. I fried a harness when I nicked a wire a few years back. Some static on the radio but it is safer. On my 63 I have two black/pink stripe wires to the positive side of the coil.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Two Red Wires to Coil

The shop manual indicates solid Pink as does the whole car color schematic from classiccarwiring.com. The only wire that is black / pink goes to terminal number 4 of the voltage regulator and is referred to as a "Reistance Wire" ;#24 AWG.

The 2 going to the coil are definitely red so I'm leaning towards the conclusion that this wiring harness is not original. That would also explan why the 1st wire from the harness that goes to the ballast resistor is Red instead of pink.

Thanks for the input.

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 Two Red Wires to Coil

For "non-judged" driving I run a bead of that plastichrome automobile door edge protector with the self-adhesive along the bottom of the center shield. Works nicely to cover the sharp edge and you can pull it off and clean it up with Goo-Gone in about 5 minutes for judging.

Even if the wires aren't "banjo string" tight they can still move and abrade enough to eventually cause issues.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Two Red Wires to Coil

Nice idea Frank.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Two Red Wires to Coil

Exactly. There are many ways around the abrasion issue. I'm in the electronics business and there is a product called spiral-wrap used on many harnesses which is what I will end up using. Whatever you choose make sure it will withstand the engine compartment temperature. Certain PVC's will melt at a relatively low temperature. The wiring is typically rated at either 80 or 105 degrees C. There is also the impregnated wire braided tubing that is used on the engine coolant sensor wire that would work if you first slit it.

Tom

[Bob W.]

Re: 63 Two Red Wires to Coil

Both great ideas thanks for the information.

Bob

[John D.]

Re: 63 Two Red Wires to Coil

As mentioned the distributor shield is a dangerous part.
Story: When my 66 BB was brand new it had a slight miss. My Dad has given me orders not to touch the car but to take it back to the dealer.
Well I didn't listen. I removed the distributor shield. Took the car for a ride and the miss went away.
Since that time I tell all my FI customer and the 1000's that call on the phone to leave the part off. If you are getting your car judged the judging chairman tells the car owner to remove the shield, etc.
My 63, the LWC (little white car that is neglected) has never had a shield on it. Never. But it does have two shields behind the seat. Early one that the car came with and judges didn't like and the later style.
John