C1 Wiring Harness question

[Garry Barnes]

What is the correct way to replace the rear wiring harness on a '56? This is the harness that runs from the fuse block through the body on the drivers side and out over the left rear wheel well. The original one (with power top safety switch connectors) is still in there and needs to be replaced. Very limited room and tough to get to. Thanks.
Garry #18531

[Wayne P.]

Re: C1 Wiring Harness question

Attach a string to one end and pull it through with the old wire. Use the string to pull the new wire back through. You'll have to help it through the gas tank area.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: C1 Wiring Harness question

Wayne, thanks for the suggestion. Rob Dame suggested the same idea to me earlier this evening and I think that it would work fine. Would you have any concerns about damaging the new harness to the point that you would attempt to protect it in some way? Have you done this before and if so did you encounter any challenges other than what you mentioned? Thanks.
Garry

[Dave Suesz]

I dislocated my thumb doing this...

because I got impatient. The trouble with protecting the harness would be at least in my case the rear fender is so close to the wheelhouse there is almost not enough room for the harness.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: I dislocated my thumb doing this...

Sounds like a fun time David! If I recall, isn't there a section on the inside of the lower door threshold, inboard and downward of the sill plate the can be dug out and removed to provide access for the rear harness? I need to revist my AIM to see if I can find this. I may be dreaming.
Garry

[Dave Suesz]

15 years is a long time...

basically I remember feeding through one tiny space at a time until it was all in the trunk. The hardest part was the antenna cable, I had to install it, then fish the center ground strap out of a slot in the inner side of the rocker panel, to ground it to the chassis. Whew!