Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

[Douglas G.]

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most difficult,where does this installation fall?I have complicated it further by previously installing Vintage Air.Any advice or opinions would be helpful.

[Tom H.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

I would say that is a loaded question. With the proper facility, tools and experience, it's not a bad job. If you've never done one and aren't super handy............. I'd leave the wiring to a pro.

If you decide to tackle it yourself, patience is the key. Check and double check your work as you go so you only have to do it once !! Let us know how it goes.

[Sam K.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

Doug: Was this previously an Air Car, with correct A/C wiring, or was the Vintage Air "wiring" added ? Ensure that you ID all the connectors while disassembling the Harness in order that the Assembly process is not puzzling. It will be very time consuming, and cramped quarters in doing so.
If you have patience.... it is not difficult, If you have a short fuse & are not mechanically inclined.... it's a 10-difficult. Check the New Harness colour code wires with your Old Harness colours...... You may have to pull the seats out so you can "fit" in the car.... Good Luck.

[Douglas G.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

Sam,Thanks for the info.It is not an original air car so I used the vintage air wiring and moved the alternator to the left side.I did hear that replacing the instrument cluster screws with long theaded studs in order to slide the cluster forward was very helpful and also removing the steering column.

[Alan D.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

Yes on studs, yes on column, & yes on seat. Just makes job a lot simpler.
Once old harness is removed - pre bend new harness at same points as old (it may not hold shape but will help on the way in. If you have an original harness back there - check all connectors with old and replace those which differ (only a few).

[Stan E.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

Just get a wiring diagram,for the information,and it's as easy as changing batteries in a flash light.

[Bill M.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

Doug

Not a bad job make sure you remove seats and take steering column out of car. This will give you plenty of OH Sh** room. You may want to restore gauge cluster while you are at it. Give yourself time and be patient.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

The last ones that I have installed have been a pain in the A$$ simply because the damn light sockets are a POS. They will not stay in the holes and will worry the crap out of you.

[Paul J.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

Doug:

Take lot of pictures of the old harness in place before you remove it and use them for referemce when you install the new one. It also helps if you have labels on the wires that the pictures will pick up.

I agree with all of the previous posts. Once the instrument cluster and steering column are out evrything is easy to see.

Paul

[Bob S.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

To jump in here, I will have to do this same job in the next few months on my 59. The problem is - everything was out of the car when I bought it. This is a total body off rstoration. There is nothing to take pictures of, no harness clips, no clues.

Is there somewhere to go for pics or illustrations?

Sully

[Sam K.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

Sully: For a '59, buy the Harness' from Lectric Ltd, and get a wiring diagram. Check the Harness colour codes with the Diagram's. It may be different, but the same.... it is not the GM harness so the colour may have the correct stripe on them. ID Tag the connectors prior to installation, so you know where they are going to go. Take the instrument dash out to check the guage connections/light sockets etc...
Lots of patience is needed, but can be done.

[Bob S.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

Thanks Sam,
Everything is out of the car at this time. I'm getting it ready for paint. The instruments are in boxes and I am stripping the cluster housing i preperation for paint so it shoud be easy to try out all the light sockets, etc. while on the bench.
One question, is the wiring diragram that comes with the LL wiring harness different from that in the NCRS wiring diagram manual? Does it show where the hanging clip go and there description, etc? Sully

[Mike M.]

Re: Installing Main Dash Wiring Harness for a'63

I would use M&H for a wiring harness. I have used both LL and M & H. M & H I think is better built. and with there Tech support that takes the time to help if you have a problem. LL was not very helpfull when I called with a problem made me feel like I was bothering them. .