The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Replacement engine bay wiring options

I'm just curious where is a good place to look for replacement wire, particularly in the engine bay. Most the wiring is actually in pretty good shape, but seems a bit weak in a few places close to the connections so i'm guessing there are a few broken strands. I'm not looking for complete replacement harnesses, just replacement wire - assuming that's an option.

Thanks,

FLAPS................like O'Reilly's has 20 ft rolls, all colors, $7.......or in your case, mail order or NAPA. It's known as Primary Wire. PVC insulated, 12ga, 14ga, 16ga, 18ga.........whatever the circuit. A little higher quality/greater temp range is GXL insulated. (cross linked PE).

Not to discourage your plan but your truck is a 1953, I rewired my truck with a Classic Parts, generator, turn signal optioned harness for $152. It might be worth considering a replacement, $7 + tax + gas or shipping adds up.

Thanks, is the Classic Parts just standard automotive wire or more period correct?

I used Road Island Wire. They were reasonable and you can order by the foot. Modern insulation under woven fabric. I found speaking with them to be very helpful.
http://www.riwire.com/Catalogs/sup/pages/wire.htm

Just standard, plastic coated, cloth coated is hundreds more. I have had zero issues in the 6 years since my restoration, that was sort of my point, patching a 65 year old harness seems kind of pointless. Postponing the inevitable while spending near the equivalent. If your plan is a concours restoration using cloth the patching is warranted.

Not too many wires under hood. But not sure which you are exactly referring to. Should not be hard to duplicate one at a time and pretty cheap. You don't need different colors when you can visually follow a wire from A to B (unless all wrapped up in electrical tape). The colors are for tracing and to be GM correct. 2 or 3 wires needing replaced does not require a harness. All old wiring, not looking too safe....does.

As said, depends on your level of refresh/restore. Depends on the total wire condition. There are work/farm unrestored trucks that just need fresh wire to be safe and run good; and there are factory correct harnesses that do the same function.

A nice harness is a good way to go if budget is not too much a factor. I am trying to answer your question mindful of you saying you don't want a harness, just wires. Either way is doable.

Thanks for all the replies. Not looking for concours level necessarily at this point, but would like to replace some wires with period correct stuff if possible. The wires going to the coil seem like they are about to break, the rest look good, just the sheathing getting a little frayed. Down the road we will strip the truck down to the frame for a proper restore, at this point we’re just looking to make it safe and reliable. All wiring actually looks pretty good overall, I highly doubt it’s original but looks the part.

I see what you mean now.
Period correct is cloth covered plastic according to the 1953 wiring diagram. I don't buy that stuff so can't help further.

Exactly what it looks like and replacing it with standard wire would stand out like a sore thumb. Rhode Island wire mentioned by GWWirth looks promising. Thanks all

When I bought the harness for my '38 I shopped both Road Island Wire and YNZ Yesterday's Parts. I found YNZ to be a tad less expensive & good quality. Shop both before you buy. YNZ sells wire and components as well as harnesses. A lot of people praise Road Island so they are likely a good source but I've not used them. I'm happy with my experience with YNZ.
http://www.ynzyesterdaysparts.com/

Thank you!