[Omnipotent]

To replace the entire wiring harness, with the car together (engine, clip, fenders all on) but no interior? I'm getting to the point where I'm about to send it out to get an interior put in, but I'm thinking I should replace the wiring since I'm having a heck of a time figuring out what goes where since it's been spliced and cut so many times.

Thanks in advance,

JD

[JimM]

The engine & front lighting harness are easy. The rear harness needs you to have the carpet and back seat removed. Fishing behind the kick panel is easier than removing it, easier yet is leaving the kick off till the harness is in.

The dash harness is a beetch no matter what, and requires you to have EVERYTHING apart. Dash pad, glove box, all guages, everything.

[Omnipotent]

Well considering that the car has no interior...seats, carpet, kick panels, nothing it sounds like it should be pretty easy (I'm sure I'll eat those words once I get started). As for the dash, it's also bare...no glove box, no heater controls, no radio...just the guage cluster.

So, is this a weekend type job...or a week long one? Additionally, which harness to get? I hear a lot of good things about the AAW harness...the only thing I've added is an HEI ignition, can I get the harness modified to except this?

Thanks as always,

JD

[JimM]

It'll be a long weekend. Talk to AAW directly. I think they have a part# for an engine harness wired for HEI. Most of this will be stocked by the bigger repro houses, just ask them what brand they sell. Will probably be cheaper, manufacturer direct usually means list price.

[67FamilyFun]

Originally Posted by JimM

It'll be a long weekend. Talk to AAW directly. I think they have a part# for an engine harness wired for HEI. Most of this will be stocked by the bigger repro houses, just ask them what brand they sell. Will probably be cheaper, manufacturer direct usually means list price.

I'm no JimM...It took me longer than a weekend! 2 or 3 at least... But I'd definitely do it at the stage you're at now rather than later. The AAW kit is very complete and nice...I'm sure there's an HEI option.

Scott

[fearsomfoe]

I installed a painless kit in my '67! The whole car was completely assembeled when I did it too! I replaced all the electrical switches while I was at it just to be done with it! The onlt thing I had to remove besides the switches was the speedo/fuel gauge panel! But this required dropping the steering column, but thats no big deal. If you have the front seats out you can get your head under the dash much easier. Make sure you have a QUALITY crimper and QUALITY wire stripper! It will make your life way easier. Definetly worth the cost.Include it in your cost for the kit!
When you get your kit, lay it out on the ground next to the car and double check that all the parts are there. When I did mine, the kit was missing the entire engine harness, however I did not realize this untill I had installed the entire interior section of the harness.I took the box back to the store and told them that it was empty when I got it home!!! It was the one time I was thankful some dufus was working the parts counter!N-E-wayz....It took me about 4 weekends realistically speaking but you know how it goes,along the way I kept deciding to redo related items such as new hi output alternater, new horns, new battery, new battery cables...and so on. So, plan on the job taking atleast twice as long as you intend it just so you don't get frustrated. Frustration is always my worst enemy.It leads to haste and that equals A crappy car!!!Mesage me with any questions!

[Steptoe]

Took me 2 long days, thu I was reinstalling orginal harness...
The fuse box was a bitch..
yep and no seats....
And get a matress and couple pillows to lay on...
if you are comfortable the job tends to go smoother, just dont go to sleep on the job.

[Johnny B]

Originally Posted by Steptoe

And get a matress and couple pillows to lay on...
if you are comfortable the job tends to go smoother, just dont go to sleep on the job.

That's where I sleep since "She" found out how much money I was spending on the resto!!! Oh, you mean while installing the wiring kit...ya, several hours under the dash can be a drag. Even an old piece of carpet will help. 3 days will git-er-did!... Jb

[Musclerodz]

I have used both Painless and AAW and AAW is better It is also why we are a dealer for them. AAW has 2 solutions for you. Factory fit line which is OEM harnesses made with todays quality wiring that fits and loks just like the originals. They do have a modified engine harness part number for the HEI igntion. There is also a modified front light harness depending type of alternator installed and location of the alternator as well. The 2nd solution is there Classic Update Series which is kinda like the Painless harness for people who are adding lots of non stock items to there cars.

Mike

[Eric Kammerer]

Another benefit of the AAW Classic Update kit is that you can do the whole car for half the price of all the separate OE replacement style harnesses. That was a big selling point for me.

An added bonus (in my mind) was that it does away with the factory horn relay and its buss bar. The horn relay is under the dash, and there's no need for the buss bar with the slick way they have the circuits set up.

And, if you spend the time (and $20 for three rolls of wrapping tape), you can make it look factory. I'm sure I have almost as much time in taping as I did in making connections.

The Update kits have good instructions, and even if you buy from one of their resellers, they give you top notch (and very patient) customer service. As an example, the holders for my idiot lights were malformed (bad mold job), and they sent me new ones in a day. Just can't say enough good things about AAW!

[MrMontana]

My car is completely together.. seats.. carpet etc.. I just installed the AAW classic update kit and it was hardly any trouble.. you will have to pull the back seat.. (which is a piece of cake).. front kick panel was a little tricky.. just losen the ebrake pedal.. but other than that its just a matter of following the instructions which are laid out very very nice.. piece of cake.. I am still a rookie compared to the fella's on this website and I had very few problems.. If you have any trouble these guys will set you straight everytime.

[scruys]

I am in the middle of rewiring my entire car. The interior is completely out which makes installation easy. I have the rear light harness in and am in the middle of the main/dash harness installation. It is a tiring process because you're on your back and working over your head. Like others have said, get comfortable before you start. Pad the floor and convince the boss that any shop worth two cents has heat AND A/C (assuming you don't live in AK). Send me a message if you have any questions.

One last thing - American Autowire is an awesome company. In another post I explained how they took care of me even though it was my mistake. And they do make an HEI harness. I am doing a (mostly) stock resto but went with an HEI. I'm retaining the externally regulated alternator. I recommend talking to Donny or John at AAW because they'll get into the specifics of your application with you and make sure you get the harness you need. Good luck!

Steve