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Author
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Topic: mama mia - under dash wiring spaghetti al dente
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65darkhorse
Gearhead Posts: 443
From: er, Paris, France ?
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-20-2002 04:33 AM
   
ok, I don't think I'll be the last to post on this topic. Previous owners of my car got creative (hard to believe) with the underdash wiring.  I'm thinking its just luck that the car starts at all. That's what I get for not looking too much under the dash before buying it. So, how much of a pain in the *** is this to replace ? I posted this on another board and I got one answer saying it 'wasn't hard.' As those posts were anonymous, it coulda been some 10 year old sadist posting for kicks and I really don't want to find out the hard way. How long should this take ?
Is there anything I should watch out for?
Who sells the best harnesses ? or are they all the same ?
Should I remove the dash pad for easier access ?
Does part of the harness go up the steering column ? (horn wires?)
Also, related to this: what were those Ford engineers smoking when they decided to wedge that fuse box up there in never never land ? Has anyone relocated it, and if so, to where ? thanks.
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mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 5739
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-20-2002 07:37 AM
If your 65 is a factory guage car, speedo and four guages, you may have a slight problem. My 65 was butchered so bad under dash, that I swapped the entire wiring on the car for 66 wiring, which is better than the 65. Got lucky and was able to strip out an entire 66 coupe. The 65 guage wiring was an adaptation of the earlier 65 harness. A new underdash harness is expensive, 430 for just the dash harness. I'd try to look for good used 66 wiring but one problem might be whether you have a two or 3 speed heater. With the 66 you'd also get a glove box mounted emergency flasher switch. Whatever route you take, get a Ford Assembly Manual Electrical one(there's more than one category) to sort out your mess.
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65darkhorse
Gearhead Posts: 443
From: er, Paris, France ?
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-20-2002 10:42 AM
yeah I almost had a coronary when I saw the price of a new harness, but figure it would be worth it for peace of mind. Since I haven't seen the car in about 2 years, I can't remember if it has the four gauges and if its a 2 or 3 speed heater. How much work is involved in swapping it out ? thanks.
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mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 5739
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-20-2002 11:07 AM
Regardless of whether you get a replacement or not it is not a real hard job to pull a harness out of the dash on a 65/6. With the harness out and and an assembly manual wiring book, it may be repairable. Laid out and cleaned, with the guide to follow, it could be done. Either way , it needs to come out. In my 68, I bought a used harness from a used parts place and it was worth every penny. I paid about 120 and it had no cuts. Still, I retaped it and examined it, as I went, for hidden shorts, etc.
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 1746
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 08-20-2002 11:07 AM
Don't buy a "new" harness. Not worth it. They're not rocket science, and if you have a beat up old sample, a competent electrician can make you one far cheaper that is guaranteed not to be brittle.
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65darkhorse
Gearhead Posts: 443
From: er, Paris, France ?
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-20-2002 11:54 AM
ok. will give it a shot with a used harness. anyone know of *reputable* place I can get one from ? thanks.
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