Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

[Bob M.]

The instrument cluster was stolen from my '63 and in the process, many of the wires from the main wiring harness were cut. I have been offered a new, original GM harness as a replacement. Although keeping the car "all GM" always has its appeal, I have reservations about using the harness because it is at least 25-30 years old.

I've never had any firsthand experience with Lectric Limited's replacement harnesses, but the technical information on their site is very impressive, they advertise in the Driveline, and they've been endorsed on Jay Leno's Garage(!).

Knowing that wiring deteriorates with age, I'm torn between originality and functionality. Opinions on these two options? Thanks...

[Timothy B.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

Bob, If it's a new GM main harness I would not be afraid to use it. I know you will get various opinions from others but that's mine FWIW..

I have lectric limited main harness in my 63 and no problems at all with anything but if I had a new GM harness available I can tell you that's what I would have used..

[Peter J.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

Bob,
I'm with Tim. If it is new than it should be fine. I have had a lectric Limited harness in my 66 for several years without any problems. I laid my original laid out next LL's to compare the two and it was pretty close. NOS GM should be fine - It hasn't been subjected to 40+ years of engine heat and chaffing.
Pete

[Joe L.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

The instrument cluster was stolen from my '63 and in the process, many of the wires from the main wiring harness were cut. I have been offered a new, original GM harness as a replacement. Although keeping the car "all GM" always has its appeal, I have reservations about using the harness because it is at least 25-30 years old.

I've never had any firsthand experience with Lectric Limited's replacement harnesses, but the technical information on their site is very impressive, they advertise in the Driveline, and they've been endorsed on Jay Leno's Garage(!).

Knowing that wiring deteriorates with age, I'm torn between originality and functionality. Opinions on these two options? Thanks...

Bob-----

I would use the GM harness without hesitation AFTER I inspected it for any signs of obvious deterioration (e.g. impliable and/or cracked insulation on wires, significant corrosion on terminals/wire connections, etc.). If the harness has been stored in a reasonably protected environment, I don't think you'll find any significant problems, at all.

A few bits of information. There were originally THREE different instrument panel wiring harnesses used on 1963 Corvettes and, possibly, even more than three. Cars without back-up lamps used GM #2982596. Cars with back-up lamps and of 1st design used GM #2983551. Cars with C-60 and back-up lamps, 2nd design, used GM #2983972.

The GM #2982596 was discontinued in March, 1964 and replaced, for SERVICE, by the GM #2983972. The GM #2983551 was discontinued in October, 1963 and replaced, for SERVICE, by the GM #2983972. IF there were any other instrument harnesses used for 1963 and ever available in SERVICE (which I highly doubt), they were also discontinued and replaced by the GM #2983972 which was the only "surviving" 1963 instrument panel harness available in SERVICE after the late 60's.

The GM #2983972 was available in SERVICE until August, 1986 when it was discontinued without supercession. This is, most likely, the GM harness you have been offered.

A few things to keep in mind about the 2983972: as described, this was the harness for 1963 Corvettes equipped with C-60. So, there will be some unused wires in the harness. Don't be concerned about this. Just be aware of it and don't panic when you find wires you can't find anyplace for them to go. Leave the unused wires as-is (or, cut them off if you wish).

The 2983972 harness will probably not include the ignition switch lamp and bracket as the original harness most likely did. So, if these are still present in your car, you will need to use them. Otherwise, you will need to obtain them.

I would use the GM harness if in good condition over any reproduction harness. However, if I were going to use a reproduction harness, I would much prefer one from M&H Electrical Fabricators over ANY other.

[Bob M.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

Joe, thanks for the insightful information on the '63 wiring harnesses. The GM harness is, in fact, #3972. My car does not have air, so even though #3972 is listed in my 1982 Parts Catalog as correct, I now understand that it is the "one size fits all" survivor harness.

This and the age/condition question are turning me towards a reproduction harness. I am out of touch with the hobby and have not heard of M&H Electric Fabricators. I did look at their catalog and see that they offer harnesses for both air and non-air cars. Do they have a "presence" with NCRS cars? I don't recall any references to them in the Driveline or Hemmings. At the risk of putting you on the spot, why do you prefer them to Lectric Limited or others?

Thanks...

Bob

[Paul J.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

Bob:

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Could you give us some details of how this happened so that we might avoid a similar circumstance?

Paul

[Joe L.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

Joe, thanks for the insightful information on the '63 wiring harnesses. The GM harness is, in fact, #3972. My car does not have air, so even though #3972 is listed in my 1982 Parts Catalog as correct, I now understand that it is the "one size fits all" survivor harness.

This and the age/condition question are turning me towards a reproduction harness. I am out of touch with the hobby and have not heard of M&H Electric Fabricators. I did look at their catalog and see that they offer harnesses for both air and non-air cars. Do they have a "presence" with NCRS cars? I don't recall any references to them in the Driveline or Hemmings. At the risk of putting you on the spot, why do you prefer them to Lectric Limited or others?

Thanks...

Bob

Bob-----


In my opinion, the M&H harnesses are consistently the best ones out there. They have been in the business for a long time. They have definitely been discussed before on this board, and I think that most folks would agree with my opinion of them

[Bob M.]

Of Stripped Corvettes and Harnesses

Bob:

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Could you give us some details of how this happened so that we might avoid a similar circumstance?

Paul

[John D.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

If you use the service replacement GM harness on your 63 expect some problems. It's not a shoe in so to speak. I had a 63 that had an electrical fire back in the 80's. Not the LWC. Anyhow I had trouble with the wiring on the headlight switch. So I called a friend who can really read the wiring schematics and he saw that two wires needed to be reversed at the headlight switch. Jim did that and everything worked. There were a couple of other issues also but I don't remember what as it was long ago.
We also put the engine starting harness from Chevy on that car. No problems except for the different colored wires. But the car was just a driver. JD

[Paul Y.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

John, I was wondering how I could broach that subject. When I first got my 63 running in the early 80's I was able to pick up a wiring harness from my Chevy dealer. When I put it on and put the battery cable on I checked for smoke( primitive diagnostics). It looked good and I went around to start the car. All of a sudden, smoke big time. It fried one wire in a hurry in my brand new harness. I think that this harness was a catch all for the 63-7 and we all know 63's are different. I figured out what wires to switch around on the plug ,replace the fried wires and retaped my new burnt harness and am still using it today. If I remember right, it was a wire to the starter or horn relay, but that was over 25 years ago. Be sure to read a wire scematic before test drive. Paul

[Mike M.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

M&H put one in a 63 and no problems. Would use them again. Also used lectric and had problems with there's. Support not to good either.

[Vincent F.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

As an electrician for 25 yrs, wiring gets brittle and copper oxidates as well as connectors when exposed to ambient temperatures. New is always better.

[Michael M.]

Re: Cluster Stolen, GM or Lectric Limited Harness?

I've used Lectric Limited for my ignition, forward lamp and tail lamp harnesses on my 68 with excellent results. My car is a driver, so I cannot speak to judging points, etc.