Re: [Chevelle-List] More electrical problems!

Wed, 08 Jan 2003 12:53:21 -0800

Title: Message
My friend and I just put the GV-18 from Centech in my car.  When I was researching I found out that the GV-18 wires are bought from M&H, so it's the same quality of wires as the $800 harness from M&H.  I won't lie, I chose Centech because the price was significantly lower than M&H, and I felt safe in that i was getting the same quality of wires.  I also didn't mind the blade type fuses because my car is modified already anyways.
 
As for the connectors and extras you may need.  It would be wise to go to www.madelectrical.com and buy some 56F and 56M connectors.  These are the connectors used inside the plastic connectors such as in the trunk where the rear lights harness connects to the wires run under the carpet from the fuse panel.  They are used in (if I remember correctly) all of the plastic type connectors.  I had never worked with them before, but they're a piece of cake to use.  You just stick a small flat screwdriver in the plastic connector, which releases the "lip" and you pull the wire and 56F (or M) connector from the plastilc connector.  Then take your new wire, solder and crimp a new 56F (or M, whichever is appropriate) and slide the connector and wire back into the plastic connector and it snaps in place. 
 
So basically, if the PLASTIC parts of your current wiring are intact, Centech is a good way to go.  If you're missing plastic connectors or they're just too brittle to reuse, M&H or some other original harness might be a better choice.
 
I'd also buy plenty of heat shrink and an extra role of solder would be good too. 
 
I have my battery mounted in the trunk so I bought some 8 gauge wire from them to run from the F$rd solonoid in the trunk to the engine compartment area.  FYI, 8 gague round terminals are HARD to find in town.  That might be something you want to order also if you know ahead of time you'll need them.  I ended up finding them at a mom and pop hardware store. 
 
I also bought the connection block http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/cn-1.shtml from MAD.  It's a nice little gadget. 
 
Probably the thing to be most aware of is that when working with the dash stuff, the plastic is 30+ yrs. old and it's very brittle.  I broke the idiot light connector while trying to get it out of the dash (what a PITA).  I was lucky enough to have a spare dash and harness in storage, which saved my butt, so I clipped that one off and used it. 
 
There were a few things I didn't redo completely.  I left the rear light harness intact.  The wires hadn't been hacked up and they looked to be in good shape still.  I did replace the wires from fuse panel that ran under the carpet and into the trunk.  I figured if at a later time I wanted to replace the rear harness it'd be easier just to buy a correct rear harness by itself and plug it in.   For the idiot lights, I just chopped off the wires and left about 3 in. on each wire and spliced them with the new wire.  I did the same with the front blinker/parking lights.  Centech actually provided the connectors for the headlights.  They used the 56F connectors.  
 
Another helpful hint is, if you're going to run a CS alternator let them know that when you order, otherwise it comes with instructions and provisions for an SI alternator. 
 
I have Vintage Air, so those wires remained intact I just had to provide power to it.
 
I had to hurry up at the end and get my car back on the road (daily driver), so I currently have 2 problems.  The fuel gague goes crazy once I get down to 1/4 of a tank left and also the radio isn't working.  I'm pretty sure both are because of a ground issue, I just haven't had time to trace it down yet. 
 
I can't tell you how COOL it is to have new wiring.  Everything is bright and doesn't flicker or do anything weird (besides the gas gauge ;) )
This upgrade ranks right up there with the GW 12" 1LE front disks :) 
 
I hope this info helps someone else out.  If you have questions, let me know and I'll try to help.
 
 
Rodney.
71 Chevelle
El Mirage, AZ
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 11:55 AM
Subject: RE: [Chevelle-List] More electrical problems!

 
Well I'd check with http://www.gm-restorationparts.com/ewopg/OPGSITES/entry.asp  to see if they have a wiring harness for your car. I believe they are just buying some of the restoration parts from some of the same manufacturers you can. When I looked up mine, the wiring harness looked very much like one of the name brand ones I had been looking at. I guess a car is just a collection of parts from various manufacturers anyway.
 
Check here as well, they have some really good prices and usually beat the dealer prices: http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/restoration_parts/
 
To get to M & H go to: http://www.wiringharness.com/
 
The only "problem" (other than price) I had with M & H is that they use the old style fuse boxes where you HAVE to use glass fuses. You can't even get the new style fuses as an option at last check. They do provide all of the connectors though which some others like Centech may not (not clear yet on that). So you are paying a little more for ease of installation and originality. M & H is the kind of harness you want if you are going to be restoring to 100% correct originality and entering in shows that get judged on originality. Be prepared for sticker shock. These wiring harnesses are NOT cheap!
 
If you find a friend to help that knows electrical, and the M & H is out of the question for budget reasons, try these....EZ wiring's web page doesn't impress me at all, but their ad in the magazines look much better and gives more info. The price is right and the quality appears to be there from their ad, but they are NOT original equipment or is it even going to look close. Plus you may be working to put on some connectors. I'd call them and talk to them if you are interested. They use the new style fuses:
 
 
The pro's on Team Chevelle seem to like Centech a lot. Their muscle car wiring harness does look very good, but they confuse me a little with what they say about switches and I am not clear on their providing GM connectors. They will also custom modify the wiring for special circuits like HEI and one wire alternators I believe. Here's the Muscle Car harness that I am personally considering:
 
But they also make a "complete"  "timesaver" wiring harness for Street Rods that MAY be able to be modified to work in your Elky. I'd call them and ask them if you are interested. Far from original, but it looks like most of the connectors are already there. The price is right for that harness too!  I wouldn't order this one without talking to them though to get all the details.
 
 
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 About how much does an aftermarket kit usually run for, such as the M & H?

Thanks,

Gino

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