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Topic: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness  (Read 5813 times)

Offline travisyoung

Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« on: May 01, 2011, 08:45:06 PM »
the 67 had an engine fire, i was looking at the nub of wires at the fire wall and wonder what i should de to replace them, i have a harness on the 65 that i was going to use for parts put i know they are not the same, was trying to pull the harness back into the car and it did not want to come very easily, did not know if it is attached behind the body some how

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2011, 09:59:41 PM »
Maybe the fire caused the harness to melt and glue it selve in the body.

Offline Russ

Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2011, 12:22:39 AM »
The club has a Bug Me Video volume on rewiring a bug, it may help.

Offline Zen

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Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2011, 07:41:52 AM »
I don't know when they started it, but the later bugs have foam of some sort sprayed in the cavity where the harness goes through.  I removed the harness from a '73 or '74 one time and the foam had it glued into place . . . I disolved it with gas.  It worked, but was probably not the best idea.  Someone later told me that kind of foam mixed with gas is the recipe for napalm.  I don't know about that, but it did create a gooey, sticky substance that smelled like gas . . .  But I got the harness out in one piece!   ;D

Offline certdubtech

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Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2011, 08:43:25 AM »
Maybe the fire caused the harness to melt and glue it selve in the body.

Perhaps... and they are just a pain to pull through, not a whole lot of extra working room there.

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2011, 09:13:05 AM »
Maybe the fire caused the harness to melt and glue it selve in the body.

Perhaps... and they are just a pain to pull through, not a whole lot of extra working room there.


They are indeed a pain in the butt specialy when its a '67 back running through the roof an not on the floor.  I use to have a trick for those.

Offline lamar

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Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2011, 10:34:25 AM »
Ok what's the trick! I have one of those to do very soon.  :o

Offline travisyoung

Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2011, 11:45:28 AM »
i was able to yank the one outta the 65, now just finding time to get to the 67

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2011, 01:04:23 PM »
Ok what's the trick! I have one of those to do very soon.  :o
I will tell you when I see you next. Is your old harness still in the body?  It's to late for the trick if you have already pulled it out.  :(

Offline volksnick

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Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #9 on: May 02, 2011, 01:49:29 PM »
Don't you just tie a pull sting on before removing the old one and then use that to pull the new one back through?

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #10 on: May 02, 2011, 03:04:08 PM »
Don't you just tie a pull sting on before removing the old one and then use that to pull the new one back through?
You win the cookie my Lad.  Use a small strong cord like the one you would put a windscreen in with.  Tie the cord on the harness then tape up enough to smooth out the knot. Tie the same way on the new harness and use a lot of silicon spray. One Dude pulls while another Dude on the other end pushes . Take your time .  Also tape over any wires that drop off on the way in. like the dome light etc,etc. untape when the wire gets     to the correct hole. Works most of the time if the new harness is a good one.

Offline certdubtech

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Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #11 on: May 02, 2011, 03:04:45 PM »
Don't you just tie a pull sting on before removing the old one and then use that to pull the new one back through?

That's what i do.

Or, at least, a method similar to that.

Offline ASBug

  • Varnel, Ga
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Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #12 on: May 02, 2011, 04:52:19 PM »
An electrician's fishing tape will probably work better.
I bet 98GTI will have an opinion on this...
KC

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #13 on: May 02, 2011, 05:22:21 PM »
An electrician's fishing tape will probably work better.
I bet 98GTI will have an opinion on this...
KC
I bet it would and just think everybody has one in their toolbox  ;D ;D ;D

Offline lamar

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Re: Tips on replacing the engine wiring harness

« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2011, 08:04:15 PM »
So, is that tie and tape one end of a length of 1/4 rope to the old wire harness in the engine compartment, then the other end of the rope to the new wire harness and then pull the old wire harness out from the front while a helper feeds the new harness from rear?

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