VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1939 Chev. Master wiring harness ?

Hello Gentlemen -- We have a 1939 Master Deluxe 4 door that I
believe should have a full or complete wiring harness put in
before I put the 216 overhauled engine back. Can you fellas
tell me, or reccommend, the better place to get something
authentic, and reasonable cost ? Trying to keep it the original way, the mechanic helping me suggested 12 volt system, but I am not real enthused about that. It wont be driven much at night anyways.
Can you guys give me some expert advice as to where I might
get a correct wiring harness ? It has the 3 speed column shift too, but not sure if it is the vacuum shift assisted or not. Has the town and country horns.
I would post a photo, but not sure if I can here ?
I appreciate any help, thanks so much !!




MJD

ynzyesterdaysparts.com Not cheap, but correct.
Richard

If you can find one, you may want to try a "Wirey Joe" brand. They are color-trace coded and will match the wiring schematic of the original car.
Good luck,
Charlie

http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail...NESS_W_HEADLIGHT_PIGTAIL_TAIL_LIGHT.html

WARNING...Are you setting down? Hold on ! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Wiring for the Town and Country horns will not be included in any wiring harness kit as they were accessories. I do believe you can buy a separate wiring kit for them but the wiring is so simple, it would probably be cheaper just to rewire them yourself. Beamer

I have seen "Wirey Joe" harnesses on E-bay every now and then fairly reasonable. You might keep checking there.

I bought mine from YNZ. If you're going with a lacquered cloth insulated harness you won't find one at a "reasonable cost". Chevs of the 40s re-sells YNZ harnesses. Road Island Wiring also sells harnesses but are a bit more expensive than YNZ. As noted above the Town & Country Horn isn't included in the base harness. Neither is the right hand tail/stop light. The YNZ harnesses are hand made to order in the USA.

Just remember that the Wiry Joe harness is at least 50 years old. Storage conditions and normal deterioration can affect the serviceability and safety of using an older harness and should be considered.

I used YnZ for my 39 and they were very helpful in adding all the other accessory items like heater, backup light, and clock. They were also very helpful when I had questions and called them. I think the 39 is also an in stock item for them but you wouldneed to check. Very much worth the cost.

MJD, I used Rhode Island Wire for my 41. They have a web site with the prices of the different wire sets, just type in their name on your computer's search engine. Good wire harnesses tend to be expensive, but why risk the problems and a potential fire with something that you can not totally trust. I am not a supporter of buying any 50 year old wire product. By the time you twist and reshape the wire to fit your layout how can you be sure of the wires integrity? This is a fun job that requires very little skill, just a little patience, and the ability to follow a set of directions. Good luck, Mike

i was xtremely happy with YNZ . original looking wire - quality .

Hey buddy i have a 1939 chev fleet master also and im the secont owner.. Was lucky on this one. The place i get parts is from The Filling station in Leban OR.. Or Chev parts.co..Good luck..Dan

Personally, I would never use an actual cloth covered harness that is really old. I haven't researched a harness for my 38 yet because I usually just make my own. However, I know for some of the trucks there are harnesses available with modern insulation covered with the cloth weave. They look original but they are much better.

That's the way my YNZ harness is.

I bought new horn wires, reverse polarity switch and clock wire from YNZ. Well made and will be installed in the 41 conv. I'm sure other vendors wires are well made, also. I would not put plastic coated wires in any of my old cars.

Nonetheless, I have a couple of nice condition wiring harnesses made by Wiry-Joe (WJ).
One of those will be installed in the 41.

The harness is protected by the light switch fuse. So if anything goes awry the fuse will blow when the link reaches its melting point..

I had a problem (with the same car) as I was coming back from a round trip to western WY. (Big Richie may remember the trip) Fuse kept blowing after I had stopped for refreshments and a cold drink and pack of nabs coming back through eastern Tennessee. (Warning: Don't stop in Tennessee!) After checking the oil and finding it low, I got a quart out of the trunk and unbeknownst to me another can rolled up against the frayed tail light wire in perfect position to ground out the left rear taillight. When I got ready to go and turned on the headlights and the light switch fuse blew. (Just as it is supposed to do) This was the original wiring. Went through several fuses before I traced out the problem. By using some electrical tape and making sure nothing else could get up against the taillight, I had no further problems.

So, point is the fuse will protect anything the light wiring harness furnished juice to. Accordingly, I will carry electrical tape, spare fuses, fire extinguisher and, of course install a battery cut out.

All that being said, I would use a WJ, that appears to be in good condition (not friable coverings) in a heartbeat, with confidence, and not worry much about it.

Charlie

BTW: The hot wire (not part of the light harness) from the ignition switch to the light switch (or to any non-fuse protected unit) must be in first class condition. But that's another story.

and the YNZ harness came with letter marked wires and a chart . at first it looked overwhelming , but one wire at a time got the job done . xcellent looking wires toboot ! frank

After checking the oil and finding it low, I got a quart out of the trunk and unbeknownst to me another can rolled up against the frayed tail light wire in perfect position to ground out the left rear taillight.



Wow Charlie, oil in can's...! That must have been a while back...!

Reminds me of the time I was re-heating my burrito ( in aluminum foil ) on the engine near the carburator when it dislodged and slipped over to, and grounded out the coil...
My first thought was, "Am I out of gas...?" Then I remembered the Burrito and realized it was time for lunch. The End

Kevin,
I think it was April of 75. Yeah, a while back.

Say, you and I could make our own "dumb and dumber" movie.
Charlie

YNZ is the way. You definitely get what you pay for. I had them make a complete harness for my 41 Chevy. It was great! All the wires were numbered and instructions were sent detailing what each wire went to. Plus, I had them include signal lights in the harness so all I had to do was hook up my universal turn signal switch and I was done.

You just flip a coin and ( BAM ) Thats the one you buy....
EASY ! It's so easy.

Your kidding me...You don't keep your Burgers warm on the engine for the ride home...?
They have cookbooks for "engine compartment" cooking...Probably take about a 200 mile trip to roast a whole chicken...grin

I hate it when I get there and I realize my meal is road litter...

Road Kill ??? "A country boy can survive"

If You ever see a Buzzard with a french-fry in his beak...

Did any of you ever try to make his own harness??
Materials are not so expensive the work involved is not that complicated and you only need some simple tools for it!!
My next project I am going to do it by myself.

Jianis

Harness...? What do you mean...? To keep mt cooking utensils in place...?

Oh. The wiring harness....Sorry...

Yes, in fact that is the way I plan on doing it...One wire at a time...Just like the "Johnny Cash" song...It's gonna be tricky...But I like doing things the hard way...! lol

I'm thinking of getting some help from Charlie...grin