The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Wiring Harness Questions

Of all the systems I don't know much about, the electrical system has to be near the top of the list.

My wiring looks messy, some is loose, some has old insulation, some is new and I suspect that some of it is not automotive grade. So, I was looking at the Jim Carter wiring harness. The photo in the catalog looks like a lot of wire, but what does it include? Just what wires does it replace?

How difficult is it to install? Is it just a matter of detaching and attaching replacment wires piece by piece? Do the instructions alone get you through the job, or do you need to add a wiring diagram and real automotive electrical knowledge to get it done right?

Also, I see that there are generator and alternator versions. When did Chevy switch from a generator to an alternator? And the most elementary question, how do I tell whether my truck (a 55 3100, series 1) has a generator or an alternator?

Thanks,

Jeff

A generator would look like this.
Good quality - good price standard harness (use with generator)

An alternator would look like this.
Good quality - good price standard harness (use with alternator)

Neither of the above are like the original (more expensive) cloth braided wiring harness.

Both of the above harnesses will work on a 6v or 12v system.

Also, the only extra wiring/circuits provided in the above harnesses are for signal lamps.

Alternators probably became standard equipment in the early 70s.

If you have a 6v system, obtain new battery cables and ground wires = 00 (2/0) gauge are best, but use no higher/thinner than 2 gauge cables. The braided ground straps (from the frame to the clutch housing) should also be the same heavy gauge.

Do the wiring harnesses come with with wiring for gages too?

yes, appropriate for the year

Bill

So this 149.00 wire harness from Classic Parts - seems it goes through the firewall once.

Anyone use this before?

So that harness was rather easy to use. It is basic and did not have a cigarette lighter wire - but everything went to gether well. You have to run your own wire to the Tailights.

should be ready to fire it up this weekend

Cigarette lighter was an accessory, installed by dealer, owner, etc after delivery.

Wiring for brake/tail/signal should be included. You run the wires you need based on one original-style lamp for rear stop/tail or two lamps for rear stop/tail/signal.

Thanks for the report. Let us know how this proceeds.

I know this post is 6 months old but I was wondering the same things 53cowboy was. Its really hard to tell from the pictures in the Classic catalog (or any catalog), are the bulb holders for the gages included too? What about the running light and taillight bulb holders? I would guess the taillight and running lights themselves have a pigtail on them that plug into the replacement harness.

So 53Cowboy or TrooperJeff how did things turn out?

Joe (55 First series)

I've purchased the 52-021 (47-49 w/ generator) harness from Classic Parts. I have not installed it yet, but have been studying it in preparation of the project. Mine does have the instrument panel bulb holders (though some folks have been critical of them since they are plastic.

The harness has wires for the running lights, brake lights, etc, but they are clipped to length. The kit came with additional wire to complete runs, down the frame presumably, and a few spare sets of connectors. There are not bulb holders included for the chassis lights, but it did come with the short harnesses for the headlights and includes wiring for optional turn signals.

Hope this helps. Have fun.

Bill