1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

[Tim D.]

I was wondering if some of you with 1964 Vettes with back up lights would please post and/or send me some photos of how the back-up light wire is routed through and up from the lower clip that holds the speedometer cable. I also need to see where the clip is located down by the underbody tunnel so the speedo cable doesn't interfere with the clutch fork when it moves (the original clip and hole are gone).

Also, and more importantly, please post some photos of how your two backup light wires are routed after they run up through the clip that is located on the firewall and where the two connectors meet. Do the connectors just hang in mid-air? Do they sit on the 'little shelf' next to the wiper motor? Is one of the white plastic 'zip tie' wire straps (that hold the hood release cable, squirter hoses and wire harness) holding the connectors up? What keeps the wires taught against the firewall so they don't interfere with the clutch fork? The clip that is about 1/2 way up the firewall doesn't keep them tight and therefore, won't prevent them from interfering with the clutch fork etc?

My AIM shows the connector that comes through the firewall being held up by one of the white plastic wire 'zip ties' and then the lower connector plugs into it. However, my back-up light switch wires coming from the tranny are not quite long enough to do that. Should they be? My back-up light switch is a repro with a green wire and a pink wire mated together.

I have searched all of my books and photos and can't find a good shot of what I need to see. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tim

[Tim D.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

Correction....my AIM shows the back up light switch wires and connector from the tranny coming up the firewall being held up by a white plastic strap and then hanging in a downward position. The wires and connector that come through the firewall then face upward and connect.

I just looked at a parts catalog and suspect I need to buy a more "correct" BU light switch. The one in the catalog is 35 1/2" long and has the correct wire color code. I assume one wire will be black with a pink stripe and the other wire will be black with a green stripe. I'm guessing my solid green and solid pink wire combo are not technically correct, nor is there length. They seem to be short by about 4" or so.

Would love to know from those of you with correct NCRS or original cars what color your wires are and how are they routed. Thanks, Tim

[Garry E.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

Tim:

I have a late '64 (5/22/64) convertible (SB w/ Powerglide) w/ backup lights..... My car is currently up on my "lift" for some work I have been doing on the rear end. As a result, I can't take the photos you requested at the moment..... Reach me via my email and I will send you some shots of the wiring...

Regarding your question on the clip for the speedo cable..... on my PWGlide car, the clip was riveted to the fiberglass on the left side of the tranny tunnel near the opening into the engine bay. My backup light wiring was not routed through this clip - only the speedo cable.

Garry Eastwood
#38705

[John H.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

Tim -

This is a '67 - shouldn't be much different than yours.

[Tim D.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

Hi Gary,

Thank you very much for your reply. I really appreciate it. I too have a late '64 (5/11/64), 327/365hp, convert, 4-speed. I will email you and when you get a chance if you could send me some photos of the underbody tunnel clip and wire routing as well as how it runs up the firewall and how/where the two plugs connect where the harness connector meets the back-up light switch connector, that would be fantastic.

I just ordered another BU light switch with supposedly the correct wires, ie, 35 1/2" long and two black wires (one has a pink stripe and the other has a light green stripe). I should receive these sometime next week.

Happy Halloween!

Tim

[Tim D.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

Hi John,

Thank you sooo much for the reply and photos. I also saw a photo you had posted in the archives (I think it was from your blue Vette) that really helped me. My switch wires are the same color as yours....solid pink and solid light green. Yesterday, I routed and mounted my switch very similar to your photos.

Best Regards,

Tim

[Tim D.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

This follow is long over due. Now that spring is here, I am back to working on my 64 restoration. John and Gary, thank you so much for your advice and photos. I ordered the new back-up switch with the two correct black wires (one with a pink stripe and one with a green stripe). I was able to get everything mounted correctly and working properly thanks to both of you. I REALLY appreciate it! Tim

[Doug L.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

Hi Tim,
I'm disassembling my early-build (December '63) 1964 roadster. I just took photos of that area in preparation for removing the body from the frame. Here is how mine was routed: From the transmission along the inside wall of the transmission tunnel where there is a "U"-shaped clip fastened to the tunnel. The clip is open at the top and the cable lays in the clip. From there it goes forward to the firewall, then vertical behind the left vertical ignition shield. There u=is another open "U" clip half way up the firewall and the cable is in that clip. It continues vertically passing left of the resistor. Above the resistor it turns to the right and passes through one of the plastic tie wraps that also holds the washer hose and the hood release cable. The connector is on the right side of the tie wrap. All my references to right and left are from the perspective of the driver sitting in his/her seat.

I should caution you that someone could have had mine apart and put is back together differently than how I found it.

Now a question for you. I noticed last night that the "chrome" circle around the recessed cone in the center of the speedometer is gold in color while the same circle on the tachometer is silver in color. I first thought that the "chrome" was simply discolored from age but after removing the gauges from the panel it appears that it was originally gold. What are yours?

[Tim D.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the info and photos of the routing of your back up light routing on your firewall. I really appreciate it.

The "chrome" circles on my speedo and tack are both silver. My cluster was restored by a very well known guage ,cluster and clock man so I am 99.99% sure they are correct. I have attached a few photos. Hope this helps. Tim

[Garry E.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

Hey Doug.....

I took a look at the speedo and tach on my late '64 with its original instrument cluster...... both are silver - not gold.....

Hope this helps...

Garry Eastwood
#38705

[Doug L.]

Re: 1964 photo of back up light routing on firewall

Hi Gary,
It does. I think mine is either discolored or a bad repro. I'll be removing it soon but everything I have seen as read so far indicates it shhould be silver.

Thanks-Doug