wiring help on a 63 Nova - Lateral-g Forums

zz3guy · #1 07-01-2007, 10:57 PM

Dad's pro tour 63 Nova died electrically this weekend for no reason. Lost everything, but the battery was still fine. We hot wired the fuel pump, hei, & fan to get to the Goodguys show & back. We picked up an EZ wire complete wiring harness & I'm gonna try to tackle it this week while I'm on vacation. Has anyone on here done a complete re-wire like this? If so could you give me any tips or info? I've read the instructions 4 times & will probably read it again a few more while I'm working on it.

Any info or tips would be greatly appreciated!

MarkM66 · #2 07-02-2007, 04:36 AM

We've used those kits. Just follow the instructions, and if you have specific problems, ask. Good luck.

zz3guy · #3 07-02-2007, 09:31 PM

I do have a specific question. I'm wondering should I completely gut the wiring in the car first from front to back & under the dash & then start with my new harness? That seems to be what my "intuition" tells me but I'd like to hear it from someone who has tackled this project before.

70TWO NOVA · #4 07-02-2007, 09:52 PM

I always start from scratch and remove everything, a clean slate makes things appear much less cluttered.

John S · #5 07-04-2007, 06:45 PM

Here is how I do it;
First thing you need to do is decide how much you are going to replace vs. repair. Then I get the digital camera out and take pictures of EVERYTHING be fore the first wire is cut. Look at potential routing locations and difficulties. If you need to route any wires through frame rails leave some in to attach to the new wires and pull them through.Take more pictures after the wires are all out and determine the most efficient routing locations.
I determine the mounting location for the fuse panel and then route from the component back to the panel. Zip ties are your friend, have an ample supply to help hold wires in place until you are ready to finalize tie points. Have thr right tools, and Hi quality, especially strippers and crimpers. if you use heat shrink get a heat gun, don't shrink tubing with a lighter or open flame. Electrical tape does not hold up in extreme environmental conditions (heat & moisture). Think about where you may want disconnects? I keep a healthy supply of molex and sealt tite connectore in multiple pin configurations handy. If you decide to solder any wires remember that the solder joint is not flexible like the wire is and could be a problem in vibration prone areas.

I'm sure there is more I am leaving out and these are not meant to be hard and fast rules but more of things to consider. Take it one step at a time and double check all your connections and you should be fine.

zz3guy · #6 07-04-2007, 08:42 PM

I appreciate the help. I gutted all the wiring today after taking quite a few pictures of everything. Right now it is completely bare with no electrical wires anywhere at all. I did lay the new harness in & run the wires to the trunk & to the engine but that's it. I am going to start on the actual wiring tomorrow.

I did see something that I was wondering about though. The old voltage regulator on the core support where a bunch of wires connected to. We are running a one-wire alternator now so can I get rid of that all together? I didn't know what all was supposed to be connected to it but I did think it would be a lot nicer looking if that was gone from the wiring system.