The wiring on my 52 Packard 200 Deluxe is one step short of fossilized, so I figure I'd betetr replace it before it starts to exhibit regular mysterious electrical gremlins.

I want to to ensure that whatever wiring harness I get meets the following objectives:

1. Modern plastic insulation for durability (I'm not into strict restoration by ANY means, and I only want to have to do this rewiring ONCE)

2. Will be suitable for my conversion from 6 volt positive ground with generator to 12 volt negative ground with alternator

3. My car is a simple one (200 Deluxe model with manual everything, and I really, really like simplicity and want to KEEP it simple, BUT I will shortly be adding a modern air conditioning / heat /defrost unit, since I live in Texas, this car is my daily driver, and black cars on 100 degree days every day for a month are no fun. So, the wiring harness has to be able to handle this, including power to the AC compressor clutch and to a pusher fan to assist in making the condensor actually effective.

What brands and part numbers should I be looking at?

Jim G

There was a logical explanation for why I could not find the lower stud nuts: the prior owner had left them off.

I had a gut feeling that might be the case, so I simply unscrewed the 2 top bolts, and tilted the instrument panel out. I unscrewed the speedometer cable, and voila, the panel easily came forward to the extent that the tight wiring allowed.

That allowed me to put electrical tape on that bare spot I mentioned earlier.

While in there, I lubricated the speedometer cable and speedo head (not going crazy with the oil). I thought that might settlethe speeometer down a bit - it "swings" about 2 or 3 mph around the indicated speed on the road - but it made no detectable difference.

It also allowed me to check the fuse in the clock, and find that it IS good, so the clock itself must be in need of repair or replacement. I'll look around for one that someone has tested and found to be working.

It's also pretty obvious to me that the wiring harness is original, and getting close to be a candidate for fossilization, so I figure I'd better ask you guys what approach to take on that (separate posting to keep threads clean).

Jim G

Quote:

Brian. It is a matter of opinion as to what ruins a forum. I am sure that many people enjoy the banter and high emotions of a forum where personal attacks and foul language are permitted but I for one do not and it is my hope that those who do will either move along or hold their tongues and behave like gentlemen on this forum. This is by far the best Packard forum ever and I applaud Kevin and others, like you, who have done so much to make it what it is. I would really hate to see it become a venue for vitriol about past history on other forums or the PAC etc.but this is not my site so it is just a persoanl opinion. Let's just let sleeping dogs lie, keep our negative thoughts to ourselves, be civil to one another, and just talk Packards.

Well, Dave, the AACA's Packard DF is still in operation (for the moment), but - IMHO - populated mainly by the most loyal AACA members after so many of us left due to excessive moderation and meddling with the Forum direction (including the little housekeeping stunt when Eric asked for his account to be deleted). While I've seen a few newcomers in the old DF, it looks like several of them have found there way here.

The former "Packard Live Chat" at the old Classiccar.com is no more only because the entire site went belly-up when the dot-com bubble burst. ClassicCar.com was ultimately reborn, but with a message board format - followed, eventually, by a new chat format - that some of the old regulars still use, though others had moved on.

The biggest single problem at the old CC Live Chat was ol' PFHartmann who was banned repeatedly - just as he was, and continues to be, at the AACA.

As such, I don't think it was Al and John's history that ruined anything.

I don't believe anyone can ever keep the peace at all times (no matter how much "authority" they're given). However, the impression of a physical confrontation brewing in the other thread compelled me to step in there. Good to know that someone else saw that.

I have no problem with a thread like this, but I would like to see an "Ignore This Member" button to build an "Ignore List". I made good use of a list like at another forum - with more than a couple entries.

Brian, curmugeon: An ill-tempered (and frequently old) person full of stubborn ideas or opinions.
I include myself as a "curmugeon" being old (64) ill tempered at times (watch me trying to remove a rusty bolt) and opinionated (ask me about Canadian foreign policy) so there is at least one "resident curmugeon" on this forum. Am I alone?
In the interests of brevity and without citing specific examples of inconsiderate and rude behaviour the forums I am referring to are specifically the AACA Packard Forum and Classiccar.com (AL quote on the Des Moines thread "Shireman and I have long bitter history both in the old classiccar.com and AACA misc chat.". On this forum we have just witnessed the "Packard Nat'l Meet in Des Moines" thread hijacked and where there has been name calling and even veiled threats of physical violence. I hope this explains my posting to your inquiring minds satisfaction.
BTW I spent some 30 odd years in law enforcement so I am not easily offended by name calling but do appreciate people being civil to one another.

Great... Now if there was just a way to permanently mark this thread in a way to keep it out of my unread list of threads it would be perfect. It would just cease to exist for me.

Clipper47 -

You wrote:

Quote:
Care to elaborate on who you are referring to as a "resident curmudgeon" and what other forums were ruined?

Several enquiring minds wanna know.

Thank-you!

Jim G

Thanks, guys!

Jim G