Wiring harness restoration ???

[Tinkerr]

Are there companies that will restore original wiring harnesses? I suspect the answer is no. Which leads to the next ? What companies are the restorers using for the harnesses on the legend class cars? I'd like to be as technically correct as possible from a appearance stand point.  Thanks

[no69x-44]

I have used both M & H Harness (http://www.wiringharness.com/) and American Auto Wire (http://www.americanautowire.com/) in the past and would recommend either company in a heart beat.  Both have been very good, great customer support and the harnesses a near perfect match.

Don't know of anyone that restores old wiring - But either one of these companies can help you with new.

[firstgenaddict]

If your harness is not too destroyed you can buy the harness wrap and splice new wires in by soldering and using heat shrink tubing... this is what I do because I have found that either the repro's are not exactly correct...

[rich69rs]

IMO, it is better to replace than try and restore 40 yr old wiring.  It will/does degrade with time.

As previously noted, the repro harnesses are very high quality and I would strongly recommend using them.

I made the mistake of tyring to restore the front light and engine harnesses on my '66 Chevelle back in 1997 only to replace both of them in the last 3 years due to ground issues.  On the Chevelle it isn't a that big of a problem.  You can easily reach down to the bulkhead connector and individually release each harnesses at the bulkhead connector. 

By the time I was reworking the front end of my '69 RS in 2004-05, I fortunately had learned my lesson and replaced the old harnesses with new ones while I had the front of the car dissassembled.  Once everything is back together, at least on my car, it would be very difficult if not impossible to access the bulkhead connector, unbolt both harnesses as an assembly and then separate the harnesses without revmoving other items first; for example the power brake booster and master cylinder would have to go at a minimum. 

[68Zproject]

I personally found that only a few wires in my harness were bad or spliced and I've found from experience that the splicing is where I usually have a problem.  I found the terminal connectors and the right size, guage and color wires and replaced the bad wire all the way from the bulkhead to the terminal and rewrapped the harness.

[firstgenaddict]

The last time I checked the repro plastic clips that are wrapped into the harness were the wrong color... have they made them in the dark brown now or are they still black?

[Tinkerr]

I found another harness that I can cannabalize for some of the missing connectors I need, but the alternator plug on both are trash. To restore my harness I need the cloth wire cover for the wire going to the temp. sending unit, cloth tape that wraps the starter wires and the alternator plug. Any ideas for sources? Another point of concern is the fuseable link at the voltage reg. my original is burnt in half, fortunately the other harness has a good one that I can transplant, but that begs the ? what caused the short and is there damage areas else where? Thanks for your input.

[68Zproject]

I think you can get new alt plugs that have a pigtail on them.  You can just slide the tang on the new ones and they pull out.  Then slide you old connectors in the new one.  The covering for the temp unit is also available.  The cloth tape looks just like thr tape they sell in the electrical sections at hardware stores.

[click]

 I restored my existing wire harness up front when I freshened up the whole front end. I checked all connectors, sanded with brass brush all brass ends, any frayed connections I redid, only takes about an 1" of wire and things still fit. Be carefull of grounds when you reassemble, use star washers under screws and bolts to ensure good ground if you painted rad support or fenders etc.

[lynnbilodeau]

Resurrecting an old thread here.

Has anyone ever found a source for:
The routing harness clips that are wrapped in with the wiring?

The offset routing clip used between the two horn wires?

It would be nice to get both type from the same source.  I don't mind buying a box of 25, but hate to pay two separate shipping fees from different sources.

James stated that the clips are brown, but, although most of the clips in my harness are brown, there are black ones as well.  I attached a pic of my original harness showing one of each color. 

So, I am fine with either color.  The offset one between the two horn wires is a lighter brown.

I don't want to purchase a new harness.  This one is fine, other than needing the clips replaced.

[lynnbilodeau]

A little more info here:

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=216311

[firstgenaddict]

Lynn,
I picked up an offset harness clip from Rick's first gen less than 6 months ago.

[lynnbilodeau]

James.  Yes, Rick's has the offset one, as do a few others, but no one seems to carry the straight one in either brown or black.  Are there more than two of the offset.  I have one in the middle of the rad support and one in the tail light harness.  Any others?

I am buying some other style black ones that I hopefully can cut up and plastic weld to the originals so that at least the part that shows will be correct.  BTW, I just checked the one that came on my "Factory Fit" harness for the ducted hood and it is the one that Auveco sells, but it is black and not gray.  I have not found a black or brown one even for that clip.

Will report back after I doctor some up.  Not all mine are broken, so I will re use the good ones.  They aren't even brittle.

[lynnbilodeau]

Correction on the offset clips.  I have two in the tail light harness and one in the front end harness.

I am guessing no one has a source for the straight wire routing clips.  Anyone have a used one or two they would be willing to sell?

I need three.

[lynnbilodeau]

Found a solution.

Look here:  http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/516948#Post516948