The Ford Barn - View Single Post - To those who've been there, original harness, am I fighting a loosing battle?

F-ONE · 09-01-2020, 11:28 PM

I've been trying to get my '51 Coupe road ready. It sill has the original harness.
The brake switch wires are rotten to the harness.

All the engine wiring has been replaced to the harness. (make do repairs) The generator charges fine.

The lights, are still on the original harness. They work except for brake lights and signals.

The main harness under hood and under dash is still wrapped.

Most of the exposed wire under the hood just crumbles away between my thumb and finger, more like mud than fabric. The brake circuit was that way.

As I get to the main harness, the condition of the wire seems better.

All the interior lighting still works, as do the taillights. The car still has the original headliner.

There is some naked copper under the dash but have not determined if this is part of the main harness or something that was added. At one time the car had a big engine. It looks like somebody tried to convert it back to stock.

It's been monkeyed with a little bit.

My hope is, that there is still enough there to get gauges working, the brake lights and have it drivable.

To those that have been here, do I just need to re-wire the car or replace the parts of the harness as I go?

Do I need to get a new under dash harness and go from there?

Do I have any hope in repairing it (the present harness) or is it a waste of time and money?

09-01-2020, 11:28 PM	#1
F-ONE Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Heart of Dixie ( Alabama) Posts: 63	To those who've been there, original harness, am I fighting a loosing battle? I've been trying to get my '51 Coupe road ready. It sill has the original harness. The brake switch wires are rotten to the harness. All the engine wiring has been replaced to the harness. (make do repairs) The generator charges fine. The lights, are still on the original harness. They work except for brake lights and signals. The main harness under hood and under dash is still wrapped. Most of the exposed wire under the hood just crumbles away between my thumb and finger, more like mud than fabric. The brake circuit was that way. As I get to the main harness, the condition of the wire seems better. All the interior lighting still works, as do the taillights. The car still has the original headliner. There is some naked copper under the dash but have not determined if this is part of the main harness or something that was added. At one time the car had a big engine. It looks like somebody tried to convert it back to stock. It's been monkeyed with a little bit. My hope is, that there is still enough there to get gauges working, the brake lights and have it drivable. To those that have been here, do I just need to re-wire the car or replace the parts of the harness as I go? Do I need to get a new under dash harness and go from there? Do I have any hope in repairing it (the present harness) or is it a waste of time and money?