1969 Galaxie 500 main wiring harness - fix or replace?

Stephenorf

Stephenorf

Senior Member
ok, its a 1968 Galaxie....but I couldn't edit the title of the post.

So its finally cool enough around here to be able to spend some time outside without getting fried like a gnat under a heat lamp. To that end...I've started to clean up the Galaxie that I dragged home earlie this year. It had some uninvited squaters that took up residence in the car. I vanquished the dirty rats, but besides the nasty mess on the carpet and floors, the little vatrmints decided to chew a few wires. Mostly they stayed clear of them, but where the main harness passes through the firewall must have been too tempting for them to resist. Here's a pic to give you an idea. Some of the wires are completely chewed up, while the majority are not touched. So...since these harnesses are hard to find...I was wondering if I would be better advise to repair the existing loom, or to find a good used one and replace the whole thing.

As you can see, a few of the wires were chewed through right at the firewall.

500652
 

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I’m more used to 50’s than late 60’s. But look very close at the insulation. Most of the time it’s pretty dry and easy to crack when you start moving it. Under the hood is usually worse, and the exposed to weather connections, like headlights, can have corrosion starting. So really look a the whole harness before you make a decision.

If it’s only a few wires, just replace it. On a penetration like that, getting to both sides and spreading the splices out (to avoid a big “lump”) is another challenge. Depends on how far you want to go.
 
I'm curious as to weather or not it is possible to "pull" new wire through the rubber block at the firewall. The idea would be to remove the old cut wire (pull out of the insulator), and replace it with new wire (thread through the insulator) and then connect to the old wire further back (you can see how far back the wires are cut in the forefront of the pic, although not the best angle and kind of blury).

BTW, the wires are quite supple. The insulation is like would be found on new wire. Preserved very well.
 
Having wired my share of motor vehicles, I can tell you the problem you have there is complicated. Splicing can be done but at a bulkhead like that it causes a problem due to the size of the splices. It makes the diameter of the bundle larger in an area that doesn't necessarily have the room for a larger bundle. Splices should be spaced apart enough that it keeps the harness about the same diameter overall. This may require some replacement wire. Finding replacement wire can be complicated if you want all the correct wire and tracer colors. I hate to put more than one splice on any single wire since it can lead to problems later with loose or corroded splices.

It won't be easy no matter what you do. I'm not sure if any company fabricates new reproduction harnesses for your 68 Galaxie but a person could check with Ron Francis or maybe Rhode Island Wire.
 
... whew ...

On that harness, do you see a white sticker anywhere that will have I.D. NOS on it?
 
You could stagger the splices as suggested, or how about adding a connector possibly on the inside of the car? How many wires are in the bundle?
 
KULTULZ said:
... whew ...

On that harness, do you see a white sticker anywhere that will have I.D. NOS on it?
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No, I think the white label that wraps around the harness would have been onder the dash somewhere close to the firewall, and unfortunately the rodents chewed about 10" of the friction tape that was wrapped around the wire bundle, and I'm assuming the white label too. I also looked under the hood and didn't see any labels.

It's has a 390ci with A/C, no PS, PB or cruise control and a 3 speed manual transmission.
 
bobss396 said:
You could stagger the splices as suggested, or how about adding a connector possibly on the inside of the car? How many wires are in the bundle?
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It has as bunch of wires, maybe 15 or 20, it's hard to say for sure but after looking under the hood, I think I'll be sourcing a replacement if possible. All the wires coming out of the firewall under the hood are completely gone.

500893
 

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Several different good choices for a new correct loom if you decide to go that route. I recommend Y n Z Wiring Top notch product and they can modify a loom according to your needs. Not as cheap as a universal one size fits all but you get what you pay for. Worth a call IMO to see if they can make a loom for your Galaxie.
https://www.ynzyesterdaysparts.com/
 
Main Harness for a 68 FORD w AC (OEM) is PN C8AZ 14A005-D.

The AC harness is unique. You will have to find a AC car donor.

If you can get a HOLLANDER NO. on it, the search should be easier.
 
KULTULZ said:
Main Harness for a 68 FORD w AC (OEM) is PN C8AZ 14A005-D.

The AC harness is unique. You will have to find a AC car donor.

If you can get a HOLLANDER NO. on it, the search should be easier.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the info. Is the A/C harness integrated into the main wiring harness (C8AZ 14A005-D), or is it a seperate harness altogether?
 
Is the A/C harness integrated into the main wiring harness (C8AZ 14A005-D), or is it a seperate harness altogether?
Click to expand...

It (AC circuitry) is within the harness. Just like PREGO, it's in there (somewhere).
 
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