VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 39 wiring

I am thinking about wiring my 39 chevy B.Coupe myself ( I have bought the harness and I know--not cheap) but the only way to go.As I look at how the rear wires must be fished through the trunk lid,it looks like somewhat of a challenge.

There s only one wire going to the trunk lid. That is for the license plate light. In my estimation that would be no problem. Also it could be reused and spliced in an area that can not be seen if it is a problem.

In that situation I often tape another piece of wire to the old before I remove it then when the old harness is out you have a way of pulling the new into place though it can still take a bit of juggling to get the new harness through.
Tony

Thank you Guy's,I looked at the harness and I was wondering if that would be way too much for me to tackle,but I think it would be easy after studying it for awhile.

I am still thinking about the wiring job,can pulling the wires through from the front to the trunk without undoing some head liner above the door ? I know that the fuel sender wire goes down,and the dome light wire goes across.

I think it would be possible with a length of stiff wire and patience to pull the wires through but undoing the head lining is no big deal,get a screwdriver and lift the concealed tacks and you're in. Put the tacks back in the same holes an no-one will ever know.

Thank you that is really helpful to someone that hasn't done this before.

I posted the comments below, just a few days ago. You may want to consider this idea. Remember, on your 1939, there are not that many wires to work with. Don't be intimidated, one wire at a time.

"I recall an instance where a guy labeled ALL existing wiring connections, before removal, then removed that particular section of wiring harness, and tacked that section of wiring to a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood, much like you would see in a wiring schematic.

He then took the new comparable section of wiring, placed it over the tacked down section, then marked or modified the new section to exactly mimic the old factory connections.

He said it was easier for him to do it in this manner, making the new wiring sized and labeled exactly the same as the original harness."

Thanks for the idea,that is something to consider.

I have a Volkwagen clutch cable strung in my 48 to pull some extra wires to the back. Of course I do not have a headliner in the car. The cable was hanging in the garage as my son is into VW's.

I thought that I could do something like pulling wires to the rear before a friend an expert comes,so I tried pushing a electric fence wire with the end rounded starting under the dash and it went real well,and now I can see where by tyeing the new wire to the old and pulling will do just fine,now I will just let the expert do the rest.

Electricians call it 'fish tape', which is flexible strong steel with a loop on one end.

Just make sure you have enough wire to make it to the back, and avoid splices in hidden areas.

Thank you,the harness (from Redlands)is professional,and well labelled,but is confusing,maybe after studying it more I can figure it out. Turn signals are included in this.

Well,I got started the wires are all in place to the rear lights and sender unit,now for the front it looks complicated,but so did the rear at first. I must have been sent wiring for a sedan,instead of a B.coupe,a lot of wire is at the front and the rear license plate light is too short,but the price was the same.

The new wiring is in and looking good,next comes p-side window,I never did one on a Chevy,then comes new upholstery I can't wait.

Great, thanks for the update!! Please be sure to update us on the upholstery, and post pics if you can.