1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

[Bob W.]

I'am starting to work on the under dahs area & I'am not sure what I should install first . the heater box or the cluster and wire harness?

Thank in advance Bob

[Jim D.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

I always install the heater and firewall insulation first. The cluster and wiring harness, installed together, are always last.

[Bob W.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

Jim Thanks for the quick reply. The firewall insulation is in so now on to the heater. I plan to attach the harness to the cluster then install in the car. Thanks again Bob

[Stewart L.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

I do the side fresh air vents, wiper motor, heater box then the insulation. Too easy to mess up the insulation putting the heater box in. Brake pedal assy and e brake can go in before the dash and cluster assy also.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

Bob, I agree, heater box, but as mentioned, definitely the Pass side fresh air vent before the heater box. It's very difficult to get the forward and lower screws into the vent grill with heater box in place.

I also find it easier to install the harness to the cluster then install the assembly into the dash. However, I always do a bench test of the cluster/harness assembly electrical system before installation. I check all lamps and electrical functions. I connect a directional switch, temp and fuel gauges, fuel sender, headlight motors, horn relay etc. For some items like heater blower, I simply connect a test lamp to the connectors. It's a lot of effort but can be worth it if a problem is found on the bench.

I place a 15A fuse via a jumper into the main feed(12G Red wire pin) at the bulkhead connector for a basic test with no other harnesses connected. I then connect rear body connector, test lamps, etc to check rear wiring, courtesy lamps etc. I sometimes connect a engine harness(spare) to the Main harness bulkhead connector and power the entire system via the Main 10G Red source wire which connects at the Solenoid Bat+ terminal. If I do it this way I place my 15A use jumper there.

If you're interested in a bench test, there is also document that Tim Welsh and Dave Zuberer put together some time ago. The file is too big to download here(3.86Mb max), but here is a link on CF where you can download it.

Rich
ps Here is bench test setup I did on a 67 once. I found several problems on the bench which I was able to fix easily. Had a bad headlight switch and HL door rollover switch. Also had a few lamp problems, one of which was the #257 LIGHTS telltale lamp socket. That one alone was worth the effort on the bench.

[Bob W.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

Thanks for everyone's reply. I like to look before I leap. My dash is still in the car so i'am thinking I should put the speaker, defroster duct and radio in then the heater box. While I all this room to work. Also what side (pass-driver) is the speaker coil on?


THANKS AGAIN BOB

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

Bob, as much as you would like to have all the screws in the RH vent grille, don't do it. Just install the screws that are easy to get out. If you ever want to take that grill cover off in the future dealing with the heater box is a problem. If you are having the car judged and are afraid of loosing points for missing screws cut the heads off the screws and glue them to the grille. Is this an A/C car?

[Bob W.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

Harry, Thanks for the tip. No the car will not be judged, just a fun driver an it's not a a/c car . Thanks again and the screws will be removed.

Bob

[Jim D.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

Also what side (pass-driver) is the speaker coil on?


THANKS AGAIN BOB

Pass. side.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

I like Harry's idea about the screws in the grille. Which reminds me of the problem I had with our 63. In that car I cut the screws very short so I could still attach the grille. I wish I used Harry's idea then. I'd have glued them instead.

[Bob W.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

I would like to thank everyone who posted, you all have been very helpful. So I guess it's time to start working.

Bob

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

I'am starting to work on the under dahs area & I'am not sure what I should install first . the heater box or the cluster and wire harness?

Thank in advance Bob

I'm just gonna add that its a good time to check your clutch pedal attachment at the top of the downrod...if there is any movement at all of the pedal side to side or the pedal looks repaired poorly - NOW is the time to deal with it while the dash is out...

The ONLY mod I make to a factory harness is to crimp a bullet connector onto the glove box light 'hot' wire (female connector on the power side)...this wire is always hot and if you do any "power on" work with the glove box out that hanging wire is a short waiting to happen. It also keeps you from having to mess with that touchy bayonet arrangement on the end of the wire that goes to the glove box light every time you remove the box...

I also have fabricated a small bracket to hold my trip odometer in permanent reset mode to take the load off the speedo drive train for longer life (optional of course).. Easily removable.

But then I drive my split window (a lot)...no garage queen.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

I have my GB out so I figured I'd post a picture, safety first. I also do the same on my A/C ducts as the courtesy light is attached to the duct. Trying to get that socket out with the normal harness is next to impossible. The first time I took the duct out I ended up bending the socket to where it was unusable.

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

I have my GB out so I figured I'd post a picture, safety first. I also do the same on my A/C ducts as the courtesy light is attached to the duct. Trying to get that socket out with the normal harness is next to impossible. The first time I took the duct out I ended up bending the socket to where it was unusable.

Nice! If only I had a factory A/C car...

I'd also add that if the OP is working on an early 63 without the glove box reinforcing rod he might want to consider adding it (as the later 63s did) to prevent the door cracking. Harry or others will correct me if I'm off base on this but I think there was a TSB on the topic.

[Bob W.]

Re: 1963 under dash wiring / heaterbox question ?

Harry Frank, Thanks again for the tips. I installed the speaker, defrost duct, clock radio & side vents(less 2 screws RH side). I live in NE PA woke up to 4"of snow today so that's the first job of the day. Frank I like the bracket idea, also not sure what op is or the glove box reinforcing rod .

Thanks Again Bob
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