1947 Ford car cowl harness differences
 

I was wondering if there is a way to tell the if a harness is a 51A-14401 (47-48), or a 21A-14401 (42-47). Is there any clues or what to look for?

Re: 1947 Ford car cowl harness differences
 

I think it is the location of the ballast resistor, later cars had it on the coil, 46 was inside next to circuit breaker---at least it was that way on the 48 i parted for my 46---as for other differences I don't know---well the 48 just had ignition switch like later car, 46 had steering lock

Re: 1947 Ford car cowl harness differences
 

Looking at the wiring diagrams I see very little difference between these years. The 42 has 6 connections to the lighting switch and the 46-48 has 5 and they are connected slightly different. The gauge power is wired slightly different, the 42 runs a wire to the fuel gauge and then from that terminal a separate wire to the temp gauge. The 46-48 has a "y" in the wire to the separate gauges. Not that much difference that is obvious. All years show the ballast resistor located next to the CBs.

Re: 1947 Ford car cowl harness differences
 

The question arised when I was looking at the Denis Carpenter catalogue I seen two cowl harnesses. One for the 42 - 47 Ford, and the other one for the 47 - 48 Ford. Something about the placement of the voltage regulator. I'm looking to buy one from someone on here and we're trying to make sure it will work for my car before I buy it.

Re: 1947 Ford car cowl harness differences
 

That's not what the wiring diagrams show, so guess owner reports are going to be your best bet. Where is your resistor located?

Re: 1947 Ford car cowl harness differences
 

Mine has the voltage regulator under the dash, which warrants the more expensive harness.

Re: 1947 Ford car cowl harness differences
 

Also last 47s and 48 has different wiring for horns. the relay for it is on firewall and horns behind grill. 42 -46 has horns on left inner fender with the relay mounted on their mounting bracket.

GB

Re: 1947 Ford car cowl harness differences
 

Again this is not reflected in the wire routing diagrams, very interesting!

Re: 1947 Ford car cowl harness differences
 

Later model has the resister on the coil, not under the dash.