The Ford Barn

Krash Vegas · 02-20-2017, 04:02 PM

Some of you may have seen the 42 Ford I found a few weeks back.

Well she is purring right along now but as with most cars that sat for a while, the mice have had a snack or 2 on some of the old cotton covered wires.
Since the car is for sale, I'm not sure the best way to attack the fix. It has a couple new harnesses with the car. But I do not like the cotton covered wire.
Is it better to just try to repair what is there, or should I start replacing it with the plastic insulated modern wire.

Not really sure which way to go on this one.

petehoovie · 02-20-2017, 04:06 PM

Given that the car is " purring right along" and that it is for sale, why not let the new owner make the decision as to the wiring. Looks to be a nice original car so I would advise against modern wire....

Krash Vegas · 02-20-2017, 04:08 PM

I figure its easier to sell if everything works! Plus I can't drive it with no brake or head lights.

rotorwrench · 02-20-2017, 05:03 PM

You might contact Tyree Harris. I think he could set you up with something that would work. Not a lot of resto suppliers make up the harnesses with plastic insulated wire for the old cars. Most use the stuff that is color coded cotton with plastic insulation underneath the cotton outer cover.

A lot of harnesses for the old Fords are not sold as one harness but separate harnesses for all the different systems. There would be a firewall forward harness, headlight harness, horn harness, etc. This way you can just order the harness you need.

waterboychuck · 02-20-2017, 05:46 PM

Those new harnesses may have cotton on the outside to make it look authentic with plastic actually covering the copper wire.

TJ · 02-20-2017, 05:52 PM

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Try Sacramento Vintage Ford. They make harnesses that look original but with modern wire inside. They tend to be a little cheaper then some of the other vendors, but shop around. If you are selling the car you will get your money back on the new wiring as it's a good selling point.

Jason in TX · 02-20-2017, 06:09 PM

Yeah. Cloth wire is usually modern rubber wire with cloth woven over it for looks.

Krash Vegas · 02-21-2017, 09:13 AM

There are 2 new sacramento vintage ford harnesses with the car, unopened. I really havent looked at them that close. I think its just the headlight and tail lights that need attention.
I only have it hotwired for now so none of the other stuff has power. I took the main feed loose at the solenoid. I guess I need to make sure nothing will short out and power it up and see what all I have to deal with. Thanks everyone for your input

02-20-2017, 04:06 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,119	Re: Wiring on a 42 ford Given that the car is " purring right along" and that it is for sale, why not let the new owner make the decision as to the wiring. Looks to be a nice original car so I would advise against modern wire.... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

02-20-2017, 04:08 PM	#3
Krash Vegas Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Dallas TExas Posts: 17	Re: Wiring on a 42 ford I figure its easier to sell if everything works! Plus I can't drive it with no brake or head lights.

02-20-2017, 05:03 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Wiring on a 42 ford You might contact Tyree Harris. I think he could set you up with something that would work. Not a lot of resto suppliers make up the harnesses with plastic insulated wire for the old cars. Most use the stuff that is color coded cotton with plastic insulation underneath the cotton outer cover. A lot of harnesses for the old Fords are not sold as one harness but separate harnesses for all the different systems. There would be a firewall forward harness, headlight harness, horn harness, etc. This way you can just order the harness you need.

02-20-2017, 05:46 PM	#5
waterboychuck Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Nine Mile Falls,WA Posts: 900	Re: Wiring on a 42 ford Those new harnesses may have cotton on the outside to make it look authentic with plastic actually covering the copper wire. __________________ The sign of a good craftsman is how well they cover up their mistakes.

02-20-2017, 05:52 PM	#6
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,035	Re: Wiring on a 42 ford Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Try Sacramento Vintage Ford. They make harnesses that look original but with modern wire inside. They tend to be a little cheaper then some of the other vendors, but shop around. If you are selling the car you will get your money back on the new wiring as it's a good selling point.

02-20-2017, 06:09 PM	#7
Jason in TX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ⓉⒺXⒶⓈ Posts: 2,047	Re: Wiring on a 42 ford Yeah. Cloth wire is usually modern rubber wire with cloth woven over it for looks. __________________ -------------- Drive it like you know how to fix it! DMAFC / OILERS CC-MC

02-21-2017, 09:13 AM	#8
Krash Vegas Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Dallas TExas Posts: 17	Re: Wiring on a 42 ford There are 2 new sacramento vintage ford harnesses with the car, unopened. I really havent looked at them that close. I think its just the headlight and tail lights that need attention. I only have it hotwired for now so none of the other stuff has power. I took the main feed loose at the solenoid. I guess I need to make sure nothing will short out and power it up and see what all I have to deal with. Thanks everyone for your input