Poundz9oh9 Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 Ok, so I go to take my dash out so that I can install a full dash cover. I was already planning on pulling the R200 out to freshen up the LSD (add clutches, do the bearings and seals), while the dash glue is drying, but as I went to unplug all the connectors under the dash on the passenger side, I had some problems getting the main power wires disconnected. It seemed like the plastic had gotten hot and fused the two clips together. Besides that, the same wires felt awefully brittle and even had a couple "hotspots" where the insulation was melted in a couple spots. Thank god that didn't cause a fire. Anyway, so while I have the dash out and finding the wires in their present condition, I decided that a rewire was in order. I'm going to order an 18 circuit kit (haven't decided which brand yet) and redo the whole car. So, that being said, would this be "while I'm at it" or just unforseen required maintence??? Cliffnotes: Took dash out. Found bad wires. Rewire, or just fix bad wires? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwik240z Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 Ok, so I go to take my dash out so that I can install a full dash cover. I was already planning on pulling the R200 out to freshen up the LSD (add clutches, do the bearings and seals), while the dash glue is drying, but as I went to unplug all the connectors under the dash on the passenger side, I had some problems getting the main power wires disconnected. It seemed like the plastic had gotten hot and fused the two clips together. Besides that, the same wires felt awefully brittle and even had a couple "hotspots" where the insulation was melted in a couple spots. Thank god that didn't cause a fire. Anyway, so while I have the dash out and finding the wires in their present condition, I decided that a rewire was in order. I'm going to order an 18 circuit kit (haven't decided which brand yet) and redo the whole car. So, that being said, would this be "while I'm at it" or just unforseen required maintence??? Cliffnotes: Took dash out. Found bad wires. Rewire, or just fix bad wires? I would consider it a "while I am at it" Once question for you: Why did you need to pull the dash to install a full dash cover? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted March 6, 2007 Author Share Posted March 6, 2007 Oh, by no means is it necessary, I just wanted to get it as perfect as humanly possible. I'm glad I did though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 Hey Marcus, I thought you wanted to sell the car lol! I think you're an addict, man, you just can't stop!! If the interior is the way you like it, you could try to replace just the offending wires. However, those inexpensive wiring harnesses from the rodder magazines and ebay are awfully tempting, no? There's EZ, Its-a-snap, and a few others.... ...so which harness are going to purchase? Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted March 6, 2007 Author Share Posted March 6, 2007 Well, it's still for sale as I work on it. I guess I'm waiting for the light bulb to once again come on for me to fall in love with it again before it actually sells. Why do you think I'm shooting so high on the price Either way, I think I'm gonna go for the rewire considering the condition of the wires and that it could probably use it anyway. I'm sure I could get it done in a weekend, or, two, or three I was lookin at a wiring harness on ebay called EZ2Wire (the store name) it's a universal GM 18 circuit for around a hundred and a half. Looks to be a decent kit. I'd post the link, but I'm at work and can't get on ebay here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zwitha383 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 I have to vote definitely not while I'm at it. All you have to do is figure out why the wire is getting hot and replace those wires. NO reason to redo the whole thing and IMO you're asking for a headache. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted March 7, 2007 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 Ya know, I've always thought of wiring as a headache, but since I'm running a simple old school run of the mill SBC, there won't be much in the engine compartment, then that just pretty much leaves the lighting and the small amount of misc. odds and ends. I think it would be a bigger hassle unwrapping and pulling apart the stock harness to be honest with you. I mean the wiring is some 36 years old, and it all seemed brittle, it's just that there were 2 BAD wires. Granted they were still operable, I just don't think it would be very safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimzdat Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Just FYI-- I have used multiple harnesses from here: http://www.ezwiring.com I'd say they are up to par with Painless for quality and ease of use, but damn near half the price--a little more than what you are seeing on ebay, but they sell a nice "mini20" harness that would be easy to stash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted March 7, 2007 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 Wow, I like the looks of that one. Hows the support from the vendor? How long did it take do get after ordering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zwitha383 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Oh fine. I suppose you can justify it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimzdat Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Haven't had a need for vendor support yet, since the thing is nicely labeled, and comes with pretty decent instructions (including how to wire up various types of switches) Usually have the harness within a week of ordering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted March 7, 2007 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 Cool deal. I might have to go with them then. Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad-ManQ45 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 jimzdat: Do those EZ Harness's come with the ground wires unlike the Painless kits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimzdat Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Nope, but I just pick up a roll of black 14GA wire and run my own grounds; designate a few ground points on the car and route accordingly. IMO, as long as you use a good clean grounding point, the entire car can be a ground--but I usually try to keep putting new holes to a minimum One of their products I haven't tried yet is the all black wire harness--all wires are still labeled, but you don't have the technicolor spaghetti look. I think I still have the instruction sheet from the last kit I used; I'll see if I can find it and scan it for y'all so you can see what they have to offer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 That would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimzdat Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Sorry for delay--trying to get my scanner at home to work right with Vista is being a pain in the you-know-what, so I had to bring it to work and use the hi-speed scanner we got The pictures and diagrams aren't the greatest, but they get the info across and gets the job done--Enjoy! http://www.jimzdat.com/EZ.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poundz9oh9 Posted March 9, 2007 Author Share Posted March 9, 2007 Shoot, looks EZ enough. I think I'll try it! Thanks for the info Jim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-Z Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 I consider this as not "while I'm at it" kind of thing. Its a safety and preventative maintainence type of thing. The wires are probably getting hot due to age and corrosion. The corrosion causes resistance which causes heat. I vote on replacing the harness, But might want to keep the connectors. Its best to do this right the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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