Fellas I am now at the point of rewiring the 54 from front to back. All looks simple enough but I am going to use my OG ignition and light switch. I have looked at the wire diagram that I have for the year and I can't make heads or tails of it. Does anyone have a diagram and close up look at the back of the ignition and light switches? I need to figure out where the wires go. Don't want to burn the house down with a meltdown. Thanks in advance.
What did you use to rewire the car as far as a harness kit? Most kits available like EZ Wire,Rebel,etc tend to be GM friendly and this creates a problem when used on Fords when hooking up the light switch.Are you planning on adding a sound system or other accessories if so I urge you read this: http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/current_topic.html adding relays will save you from future problems later,I ***ume you are converting to 12 volt.
Here is my notes from when I did my 56 using the original headlight switch. I used a rebel wire kit. These letters are marked on the tabs of the headlight switch and I used the corresponding labeled wire for each letter. In case you need the steering column wiring info here is that Factory Wire Colors Flasher = Blue Lft. Frt Turn = Green/White Rt. Frt Turn = White/BL Left Rear Turn = Green/Oarnge Rt Rear Turn = Oarnge/BL Bright Lt. = Green If i can find my notes on what I did on the ignition switch I will post that to. There should be an "A" for accessory, "C" for coil, which is "ON" on the switch, "S" for start, and battery.
This should work well and I hope not to have so many issues on my first rewire. I was able to pick up a Speedway 20 circuit harness at the RoundUp for 75.00 and the kit was still in the box and not used. I ordered the small wiring kit for the dash cluster and have wired that up already. I found some wires in the kit that I am not going to need but will not cut as I may use them later. I wanted to hire someone to do the job but the cost for that job was 800.00 bucks. I figure that it would not hurt to try it myself little by little and maybe learn something in the process. I wanted to post pics but I am unable to unless I select a url or something. Forgot to ask but which horn relay or starter solenoid can I use? I am going to 12V so I would think any one of the 60's type would work. Does it make a difference if it's Ford or Chevy? Anything I am missing and should pick up?
Use this for a solenoid to replace your 6 volt unit: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa.../N-ir9q3Z9riee?itemIdentifier=184962_14803_0_ I hope you read the info I posted on relays and at least add the 70 AMP relay off the ignition switch after I converted to 12 volts my OEM switch died in about 2 weeks,you can also find these relays at Fry's Electronics. http://www.frys.com/product/6401272?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG the 30amp relays are this one http://www.frys.com/product/4191633?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG you can find the matching color coded plugs there too.
Ford pretty much retained the same wire color codes in the 50's & 60's so this information should be a help: http://www.automotiverewire.com/Navagation/universal66must.htm When I did my '54 I removed the dash as it made things much easier to see and replace as most of the old cloth insulation just fell off when it was touched.
This too is a good read as they break it down section by section and show you the differences between Ford,GM and Mopar circuits. http://www.kwikwire.com/DocDownloads/Kwik Wire Instruction Book.pdf
What is the ST on the ignition switch? Safety and does it need it on a car? All looks pretty strait forward but the light plugs that came with the kit. I am thinking that the GM plug that goes to the steering column can be cut and used on the aftermarket turn signal. The plug that plugs into the light switch itself is not correct so I can pull the wires out of the plug and run them straight to the switch. How do I hook the wire to distributor? Am I to use a ballast resistor and how would i hook it up? I figure wire from box to ballast and ballast to coil positive side.
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