I am stripping my 67 coupe to be painted and have gotten to removing the wiring harness. I was going to take the large plug that connects to the bonnet to power the headlights etc so I could feed the harness into the passenger compartment and not unwire the dash just yet but that doesn't seem to be an option. Is that true or am I missing something?

Also I do intend to buy a new harness. Do they come with the plug for the bonnet or do I need to save my old one? Any suggestions as to who sells the best harness? Thanks

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Sat, 06/14/2008 - 16:26

Edited on 2008-06-14 16:33:54

It has been so long ago since I did this, I'm trying to remember. But yes, always save everything that comes off the car, including plugs. If it's not too late, take pictures of exactly where the cable clips are attached to the body/ frame.

I don't think the bonnet harness plug will pass through the access hole, so you will need to remove the wires from the plug. Since you are going to replace it, you can clip the wires from the plug, but leave about an inch of the old wire for ID purposes. (Remove the rubber boot and get down to where the wire actually stabs into the plug). I don't recall if new plugs come with harnesses.

But yes, you should be able to pull most, if not all of the harness(s) into the passenger compartment. Just take lots of photos and/or draw lots of diagrams. If you contact this forum 6 months from now asking how to route a particular harness, you might have to wait awhile for an answer, if you get an answer at all.

I don't know who is selling good harnesses these days. I was not too impressed with what I got for my RHD Series-1.....they completely left out the two wires for the RPM generator at the rear of the camshaft. And I didn't find it out until I had almost completely installed the harness. I had to remove it once again and send it back. Boy was I P.O.

Rhode Island Wiring is a good outfit, but I don't know if they do E-Types. I would also opt for soldered bullet ends rather than crimped, but don't know if that option is available. They no longer use the "fabric" covered wires as in some of the originals, but color-codes seemed to be okay.

Yes, keep your original harness, and lay the new on top of it to make sure it matches and that all wires are there. I would also buy new 2-way, 3-way, 4-way connectors as the old ones are corroded and may not make good electrical contact. You should also replace the through-chassis grommets. (Had enough?! ;-)

Good luck.