True Connections

One of the most overlooked and under valued additions to any restoration project is wiring. There have been countless times customers have pulled their Chevelle into the restoration shop with an electrical problem only to find endless butt connectors and household wiring under the dash. The only solution for these kinds of problems is not more butt connectors, but to replace the entire harness. Occasionally we get customers calling us up with questions about some kind of universal harness they have purchased which was simply a box of wiring with a fuse block and some spade connectors. The question we ask back is why. M&H electrical Manufacturers have been reproducing factory harness for many years now. These harnesses are exactly like factory down to the correct color coded wires and factory style connections, so following a GM wiring diagram is a snap. The great thing is though that you really don’t need a wiring diagram. M&H harnesses are pre-assembled, no crimping, cutting, or splicing involved. They have a complete line of harnesses available for all Chevelles and El Caminos with nearly any factory option you may have. The installation of these harnesses is so simple, a dash harness could be installed in a matter of a couple hours. Take for instance a 1965 Chevelle dash harness. The easiest way to install a dash harness is with the cluster removed from the car. No one wants to spend a few hours on their back with their head under the dash, in the dark, and dust falling down in their eyes. So set the dash bezel with the cluster bolted on, and all the switches installed (minus the radio since its fairly heavy and can break the dash bezel), on a bench with plenty of room to work. Next lay out the harness behind the cluster. The connections for switches such as the ignition switch and headlight switch are the easiest to spot since they are larger than the rest. Basically its just plug and play. The connectors only go on one way. From there you can continue with the rest of the smaller switches, and lights. The lights with gray wires are merely instrument lights and have no specific position just where they can reach. GM made it easy for the lights with color coded wires by stamping the color on the back of the cluster housing. Once you’re all plugged in, feed the fuse block through the opening of the dash in the car and mount up the bezel. Next you can bolt the fuse block to the firewall, plug in the harnesses from the engine compartment and rear lamps, then plug in your dimmer switch, door jamb switches, glove box light, and other such connections, and you’re done. Simple as that, all connections faithfully reproduced to fit where they should. Next month we’ll increase your braking power with a power brake booster.