The Ford Barn

BILL WZOREK · 11-07-2010, 06:00 AM

I know this has been asked & answered,But here go's
I want to rewire my 53 Mainline --- So --- who's rewire set do I go with & why ?
This car will be a driver not points car.
I dont need NOS but some thing new with eZ To under stand Instructions
( What you talking about Bill "REAL" men don't need no stinkin Instructions )
It will be a complete rewire job.
I am gathering all my parts a head of time so when it comes into the shop we can keep making progress each & every day.

Trying to build that very reliable car that I can send Lee (my Wife )
out in and not have to wonder if she remembered her AAA card.
THANKS GUYS

chuck stevens · 11-07-2010, 07:34 AM

Bill,
Glad to hear your working on the 53. Getting all the hard stuff out of the way before your operation.
About this wiring, I have used a painless harness kit and thought it went real well, no problems. The wires are marked every foot or so and it comes with 15 circuits and a nice fuse block with flashers and relays wired in. Their web site :http://www.painlessperformance.com/ . There are others, EZ2wire, Ron Francis, and more, most of them have a tech number to call if you get stuck, be sure of that before you buy. Of course you can always ask the barners for help, take care, Chuck.

rotorwrench · 11-07-2010, 10:17 AM

Rhode Island wire makes the best original stuff but hold on to your wallet because it ain't cheep. www.riwire.com/

Mac's sells original "type" harnesses and they are a little more affordable. They use the cloth covering but the wire has regular insulation underneath. Probably better for the driver. If the 53 Mainline had a modern non cloth covered set up this would be your best bet.

If someone would make up an original type harness using modern insulated wire but keeping the original colors & tracers that would be ideal for the early driver cars but I don't know of anyone that does it currently. If anyone else does, let us know.

Kerby

charles in east texas · 11-07-2010, 10:32 AM

I'd would use Rhode Island wire. I thank you will be satisfied with the instructions and ease of installation. Just be careful with the directional light wiring instructions, they can easily be confusing when showing about 6 or 7 wires and where they go in the steering column. Take you time and read the instruction carefully before you start. Don't waste your money on the inner fender grommets that the headlight and horn wires go through. Make your own. You may need to order some extra bullet connectors. Charles

joe plumber · 11-07-2010, 10:38 AM

I used E Z wiring harness when I rewired my 55 f100.,so easy to do .I switched to 12 volts ,I know all the pro and cons about switching to 12 volts. I don't know if they make a 6 volt system or not .It was so easy to do a caveman could to it . JMO.

rotorwrench · 11-07-2010, 11:01 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Most of the modern universal wire harnesses like painless and others are wired for 12-volt systems. 6-volt systems require a larger gauge wire to function correctly. If you convert an old 6-volter to 12 then the larger size wire is non relevant. 12-volt systems push electrons a lot easier than 6-volt.

If you are also converting the 53 Mainline to 12-volt, then using a universal harness is not a problem as long as it has provisions for all the different systems that you will require. You will have to make your own circuit diagram for your car as you go unless the universal harness manufacturer provides a general diagram with wire color & tracer to go by.

Kerby

B-O-B · 11-07-2010, 11:03 AM

Bill;
Which ever system you use be sure to specify 6 volt . FWIW I have used a painless kit for 12volt & was happy with it.

mr. h · 11-07-2010, 12:44 PM

just put a rebel wiring harness in my 53 customline and it was super easy and cheap.
www.rebelwire.com

jerry grayson · 11-07-2010, 03:13 PM

Bill
I have used different sources over the years, but I like Tyree Harris product. 804-556-5200. His instructions are great and the stuff fits!!

Vic Piano · 11-07-2010, 06:15 PM

Bill, I've got a Tyree Harris harness in our '53 F-100 Panel Truck, A Dennis Carpenter harness in our '39 CS. a Bob Drake harness in our '51 F-1 and a Rhode Island harness in our '39 Zephyr. Like others have said, Rhode Island makes the best original replacement harness however, for your intended use (a daily driver) I'd go with Tyree Harris for the harness. Have fun.

Vic

Planojc · 11-07-2010, 07:21 PM

I have Tyree Harris wireing in 3 of my cars with the origional look. I would use him again.

paul2748 · 11-07-2010, 08:50 PM

Keep in mind that if you are going with the 6 volt setups, the aftermarket kits do not have the size wire needed for a 6 volt system. They are not designed for the extra load the 6 volt system has. Go with a replacement harness from Tyree or Rhode Island as they are designed for 6 volts.

11-07-2010, 06:00 AM	#1
BILL WZOREK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florence Ma. Posts: 2,404	Rewireing a 53 Ford I know this has been asked & answered,But here go's I want to rewire my 53 Mainline --- So --- who's rewire set do I go with & why ? This car will be a driver not points car. I dont need NOS but some thing new with eZ To under stand Instructions ( What you talking about Bill "REAL" men don't need no stinkin Instructions ) It will be a complete rewire job. I am gathering all my parts a head of time so when it comes into the shop we can keep making progress each & every day. Trying to build that very reliable car that I can send Lee (my Wife ) out in and not have to wonder if she remembered her AAA card. THANKS GUYS

11-07-2010, 07:34 AM	#2
chuck stevens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate new york Posts: 758	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford Bill, Glad to hear your working on the 53. Getting all the hard stuff out of the way before your operation. About this wiring, I have used a painless harness kit and thought it went real well, no problems. The wires are marked every foot or so and it comes with 15 circuits and a nice fuse block with flashers and relays wired in. Their web site :http://www.painlessperformance.com/ . There are others, EZ2wire, Ron Francis, and more, most of them have a tech number to call if you get stuck, be sure of that before you buy. Of course you can always ask the barners for help, take care, Chuck.

11-07-2010, 10:17 AM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,483	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford Rhode Island wire makes the best original stuff but hold on to your wallet because it ain't cheep. www.riwire.com/ Mac's sells original "type" harnesses and they are a little more affordable. They use the cloth covering but the wire has regular insulation underneath. Probably better for the driver. If the 53 Mainline had a modern non cloth covered set up this would be your best bet. If someone would make up an original type harness using modern insulated wire but keeping the original colors & tracers that would be ideal for the early driver cars but I don't know of anyone that does it currently. If anyone else does, let us know. Kerby

11-07-2010, 10:32 AM	#4
charles in east texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Winnsboro, Texas Posts: 463	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford I'd would use Rhode Island wire. I thank you will be satisfied with the instructions and ease of installation. Just be careful with the directional light wiring instructions, they can easily be confusing when showing about 6 or 7 wires and where they go in the steering column. Take you time and read the instruction carefully before you start. Don't waste your money on the inner fender grommets that the headlight and horn wires go through. Make your own. You may need to order some extra bullet connectors. Charles

11-07-2010, 10:38 AM	#5
joe plumber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 820	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford I used E Z wiring harness when I rewired my 55 f100.,so easy to do .I switched to 12 volts ,I know all the pro and cons about switching to 12 volts. I don't know if they make a 6 volt system or not .It was so easy to do a caveman could to it . JMO.

11-07-2010, 11:01 AM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,483	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Most of the modern universal wire harnesses like painless and others are wired for 12-volt systems. 6-volt systems require a larger gauge wire to function correctly. If you convert an old 6-volter to 12 then the larger size wire is non relevant. 12-volt systems push electrons a lot easier than 6-volt. If you are also converting the 53 Mainline to 12-volt, then using a universal harness is not a problem as long as it has provisions for all the different systems that you will require. You will have to make your own circuit diagram for your car as you go unless the universal harness manufacturer provides a general diagram with wire color & tracer to go by. Kerby Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-07-2010 at 12:11 PM.

11-07-2010, 11:03 AM	#7
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 1,988	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford Bill; Which ever system you use be sure to specify 6 volt . FWIW I have used a painless kit for 12volt & was happy with it.

11-07-2010, 12:44 PM	#8
mr. h Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ft worth texas Posts: 2	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford just put a rebel wiring harness in my 53 customline and it was super easy and cheap. www.rebelwire.com

11-07-2010, 03:13 PM	#9
jerry grayson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Atlanta area Posts: 833	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford Bill I have used different sources over the years, but I like Tyree Harris product. 804-556-5200. His instructions are great and the stuff fits!!

11-07-2010, 06:15 PM	#10
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford Bill, I've got a Tyree Harris harness in our '53 F-100 Panel Truck, A Dennis Carpenter harness in our '39 CS. a Bob Drake harness in our '51 F-1 and a Rhode Island harness in our '39 Zephyr. Like others have said, Rhode Island makes the best original replacement harness however, for your intended use (a daily driver) I'd go with Tyree Harris for the harness. Have fun. Vic __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

11-07-2010, 07:21 PM	#11
Planojc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 870	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford I have Tyree Harris wireing in 3 of my cars with the origional look. I would use him again.

11-07-2010, 08:50 PM	#12
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,997	Re: Rewireing a 53 Ford Keep in mind that if you are going with the 6 volt setups, the aftermarket kits do not have the size wire needed for a 6 volt system. They are not designed for the extra load the 6 volt system has. Go with a replacement harness from Tyree or Rhode Island as they are designed for 6 volts.