Rewiring may dashboard/insturment panel

[Frank Kuhn]

My dashboard needs to be rewired. The wiring is 25 yrs. old, the the old clear plastic coating over white or black insulation. The wiring is very brital, & the terminations are frayed & corroded.

I want to know what is the smallest acceptable guage to use?

Frank Kuhn

[Mark Hendrickson]

Frank, depending on the application, you would need 10-12 gauge for the high amp stuff and 14-16 for the medium amp stuff and 16-18 gauge for the low amp stuff. The important thing is to use relays where required and fuse everything with the correct amp fuse.

If you under dash wiring is shot, the rest of the car’s wiring may need attention too. Why not in think of using a complete Painless Wiring (or other brand) complete harness. All the wires are clearly marked and color coded. You can buy as many circuits as you require and add to them at any time too. I think you’d be happy with the result and the investment.

There are also many good publications avalable for wiring cars. One is called Hot Rod Wiring and it’s very useful for kit car applications.

[Frank Kuhn]

Pink MG

Thanks, Can you give me more info on the Hot Rod Wiring book, like the Author. I would to get it, if neccessary from a book store.

Your wire sizes sound right.

Thanks Again

Frank         & nbsp;        t 

[Mark Hendrickson]

I got my Hot Rod Wiring book from Speedway Motors (Lincoln, NE). http://www.speedwaymotors.com

I just did a search (hot rod wiring) on http://www.Amazon.com. The book I have, ‘Hot Rod Wiring’ and another that looks interesting, ‘How to do Electrical Systems: Most Everything About Auto Electrics’ came up.

I have a 1985 Mustang SCCA American Sedan Class road racer that has only brake lights, wipers, electric fuel pump, MSD iginition and the starter/alternator/battery. The builder wired the car himself and it’s scary to say the least. I plan to re-wire it in the future to include headlights and taillights so I can drive it to cruises and track events. I will probably buy a basic harness from Painless Wiring or another harness vendor to accomplish that.

[Frank Kuhn]

Thanks I’ll check it out, after we return from our trip to Philly/Lancaster Co. next week.

Frank

[Author]

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