Money's tight and need to do some minor wiring on my '47, I'm so tired of having to buy this stuff each time I try to do it myself..... but really, I need a good book for beginners.
There's a good book done by Tex Smith on wiring, I've used it several times. HRP https://www.amazon.com/Tex-Smiths-How-Electrical-Systems/dp/1878772066
This makes it really easy and covers the differences between GM,Fords & Mopars it is the least complex and is almost in a cartoon form so even a total novice can understand it: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Search?query=how to wire your street rod&facet=GA_Nav_Part:Instruction Manuals There is also TONS of info found here,Thanks to our friends at Rebel Wire ! https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/rebel-wire-harness-diagrams-and-wiring-info.1120201/
A few of my "go-to" electrical tomes; Wiring Your Own Car by D. Ed Shortz , Add An Accessory by Pops Afuze , and Resistance Isn't Futile by J.L. Picard...wait for it.
I've found that buying a decent wiring kit is money and headaches ahead of trying to patch old wiring. Damned few guys are good at the buy rolls of wire and the panel and ends and make your own harness. That might work with a T bucket with few circuits but is a challenge on a lot of rigs. It isn't much if any cheaper in the long run either. I've got the Tex Smith book on the shelf behind me and like all of Tex's stuff it is easy to read and follow. Maybe a bit dated in some aspects now though.
for me, the best basic illustrated wiring book is "How to Wire Your StreetRod From Start to Finish" through speedwaymotors.com and others - do not let title scare you away
There is som info here on HAMB if you not allready have read it. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/wiring-101.843579/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/crimping-tutorial.1127519/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/rebel-wire-harness-diagrams-and-wiring-info.1120201/
Whut 26 said ^^^^^^^^^! Seriously though, order a copy of the Ron Francis catalog. Everybody ought to have one in their shop because it explains a lot and tells you how to avoid problems.
Best book for money for sure. Before all the wiring kits became available, this was the idiots guide to wiring. Me, being one of them
Funny, I'm getting ready to dive into my first full wiring job myself. I got Motorbooks' "Automotive Wiring: Practical Guide to Wiring your Hot Rod or Custom" by Dennis Parks for Christmas and am about halfway through it. It's nicely laid out and well written.
Tex's book is very good, but if you are a beginner and are just looking for "meat and potatoes" how-to information, this one is the best. It is simple and has lots of easy to follow diagrams. My kind of instructions!
Was looking thru my Ron Francis catalog again because of this thread. Here is why its so helpful. Since they obviously sell electrical parts, they have lots of pictures of the actual parts and info on their use. This is the kind of stuff you need for the "nuts and bolts"..........errr.......well you know what I mean. Making the actual connections requires you to have an idea what connectors needs to go on the ends of the wire, which is the kind of stuff you don't find in the wiring how-to books. Also has a ton of tips and why something is right or wrong. I have no affiliation with them, but they have a great catalog. Mines an older version.....gonna get a new one at the 2020 Nationals though. Having a problem downloading......
Thanks for all the recommendations in here. Being both clueless and knowing that anything worth doing is overdoing.... ...I got the Ron Francis catalog, the Tex Smith book, and the Speedway guide. We'll see if I'm still teachable.
Since I'm an electrically challenged individual, I have several aftermarket books on wiring. Each has its plus and minus value for what you want to do. My recommendation is to get a good ratchet crimper (appx $25) rather than one of the little cheap bare bones ones. Get a cabinet where you can store all sorts of electrical stuff and your reference books. Before you crimp your harness, practice on a scrap piece of wire so you get a feel for what you are doing. Always err on the side of too big and too long.........
I have always liked the little yellow wiring book although it had a couple iffy areas...don’t remember what. Before that book came along R&C did a wiring series that was really great...almost like modules...in its simplicity. Some of the more learned wiring books tend to get carried away with theory instead of offering actual wiring diagrams for those of us who don’t actually design wiring.
Well....I got this. I don't know a better way to put it than it ain't dumbed down enough for yours truly. The "how to"....probably works if you've ever done more than hook up a battery. IMO If you're a complete novice, this is not the book for you. I'll relay how the others go.
This is my work bench this evening... My first attempt at a full rewire... done plenty of repairs and sub assemblies (and let the smoke out of my share of wires...) The wiring in the car is a cobbled together rats nest by the PO so I am redoing it for piece of mind... and my OCD. I got the ron francis catalog and a book called Hot Rod Wiring by dennis oberholtzer (branded with Painless performance products) honestly the catalog was way more use to me. The book covered way more than I will be doing on my simple 30 coupe with a generator and flathead.... there is a whole chapter on EFI and one on LS3 in a Camaro, 95 mustang engine in a old ford truck, etc... way more advanced than i need...lol I went with the Rebel 8 circuit (2 more than i probably really need) the price was great for all that it comes with and Jeremy (rebel34 here on the HAMB) was a huge help with my pre order questions. Did I mention they are an Alliance Vendor? Anyway, I will be giving it a go over the next few days. Good luck with yours... Chappy
I wired my car using the Kwik Wire 14-circuit kit and their instructions were great. I also had a copy of the Ford schematic for when I had a question. I made notes on post-its and stapled them into the instruction book. I do a lot of wiring at work so I have access to tools if I need them.
Thanks for the info. I'm getting my ducks in a row before I start on the car in the spring and glad I'm starting this one out with a better plan than some in the past.
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