Re-wire job

joe plumber said:
I used an e-z wire harness on my "55f-100.I had never done any thing like it before and was a bit concerned about it.Turned out to be a piece of cake and was sort of fun .I wouldn't hesitate to do another if I had to.I added a new 1 wire alternator , new steering column with flashers and all the works and all new 12 volt gauges.Also added a new 12 volt starter and lockout switch for c-4 transmission .So simple a caveman could do it . Jmo
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One other trick to save money, and it doesn't hurt anything, is to keep the 6V starter on a 12V conversion. The 6V starter has heavier windings since 6V systems draw more amps. Engine spins over a lot faster for better starts. Had this on my '55 Mercury when I was young and worked well for years with no starter damage. It's like a win win situation.
 
Dobie Gillis said:
But it does make the bendix hit harder; can't be good over time.
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Good point. I am putting a late model FMX behind my yblock using the later drive plate (rare as rocking horse teeth here in Oz) which are prone to cracking around mounting flange. Guess I should use a 12 volt starter.

To buy into the argument about time and cost, I too am a sparkie by trade. Wiring a car using one of the variety of kits is a simple way to go and well within the scope of most handymen. I used a Kwikwire kit in my 55.

OJ feels he has the right to charge what he does and his work may well reflect that price. I presume he does not use any of the kits but makes his own harness, but to malign a member who is giving good sound advice from his own and others experience is certainly uncalled for. Lighten up.

Personally I would always use a good quality kit. Who wants to try and buy all the various cables necessary and then label each prior to connecting them. Not to mention that it doesn't come with a wiring diagram if you should have problems.

Keep up the good comments and suggestions.
 
I've rewired 3 vehicles, all as modern updates. My 55 bird with a Centech panel and kit, the other two OT cars, with American Autowire. Both good, and there are others that are good.

I'm another (retired) sparky. The basic wiring is easy and straightforward, with the instructions.

On the 'bird, I did the dash on the bench. MSD ignition, p/w, p/seat, dual electric fans, elec fuel pump, a/c compressor. Aftermarket radio with 4 speakers, sub roofer, etc. Many more circuits than stock. Fuse links on primary feeds, where circuit breakers weren't convenient.
Bulkhead and multiple wire plugs, to tie the harnesses together.

All my crimps are with a pop off style tool, and you change dies as required. I use a modern, fire rated loom, that looks "old time". Lots of shrink sleeves for strain relief and on the loom. Careful soldering on things like the parking/headlights, where corrosion can be a problem.

Most of this is overkill, but if you do, or guarantee your work, it takes a ton of time. So different time estimates can reflect more just "wiring".

I'd encourage you to buy a good kit, with the wires attached to the fuse block (the Centech doesn't do this). Buy grommets for the firewall, stock or hot rod as you prefer, and a good crimper, not the cheap ones in the homeowner tool kit. And a good wire stripper.

The American Autowire kits came with more options, wiring diagrams, terminals, etc. than I needed. No big deal to me, I had all that stuff. And they had good parts, not cheap stuff that split when crimped.

When you hook it up, buy an inline fuse, and hook it up to the battery. Turn on one thing at a time. You'd rather blow a 20 amp fuse than melt down a new harness, or start a fire. When everything works, hook it up, and start the car.

One nice thing about doing it right, and yourself, it won't ever fail, and if it does, you can fix it.

So, as to what it should cost, what do you expect? All the above answers could be correct.
 
I consider working on my truck a hobby . The only
thing I didn't do was put louvers in the hood .If you got to pay to have everything done I don't see it as a hobby .Working on my truck is part of the fun of owning it. I realize not everyone has the ability to do their own work.In most cases most of us don't have the money to do what we want to do. When someone asks me " who did that for you " I like to say I did .Remember just because you haven't done it doesn't mean you can't do it
 
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On something that far back, wiring is very simple. Bought a basic harness for $250 for a '56 F100 and put it in myself. The instructions walk you thru it. Later did one on a '53 Merc ($300 a few years ago from Obsolete Ford) I bought the original 6 volt harness even though I had it converted to 12 volt. The thick 6 volt wire actually hold juice better if you're on 12 volts. The only other thing on a 6V is to change from positive to negative ground.
 
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