Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I do not know what is typically covered in a body harness. I have the base 8. it had an overhead light in the rear of the headliner and that is it, as in no cigar lighter in the back, etc.

If you buy from YnZ's, they'll gladly list what is included or answer specific questions. Your car has ElectroMatic clutch so you'll need to get the main harness that includes the option.

In a 23rd series, the basic body loom between dash and trunk has 4 wires, 1 for fuel sender, 2 for the left and right brake light/turn signals, and 1 providing power for the tail and license lights. If there is an optional trunk lid light that is also powered from the tail light wire.

The loom ends in the trunk near the left tail light where wires plug into 2 four port inline connectors and a single inline connector. The left tail light and a small auxiliary loom, not included as part of the body loom also attaches to the connectors and runs across to the right trail light. In the middle of that small loom a wire exits to power the license light. Be aware that if you do get a new loom take care when working with the inline connectors. The wires may be hard to get out and the connector housings are brittle. While the 4 port connectors look almost identical they are not the same internally and new replacements can be difficult to find. Single inlines are readily available.

The wiring diagram shows a separate loom for the courtesy light and rear door switches so that would also be running overhead in the same channel as the body loom. It has a single wire exiting at the dash which connects to a circuit breaker. if you had a rear cigar lighter it would also be powered from that loom.

Thanks again. I am amazed at the differences in costs. From the information I now have YaZs is, by far, the most expensive.

No idea if RI Wiring catalog prices are current either but there are two other companies who do repro looms you could check with. One is Narraganset Reproductions and the other is Potomac Packards which does not have a website so you would need to contact them via phone or email. Ross posted their contact info a couple of years ago so it may still be current.

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Yes, and by far the best for support. Over the years I’ve reached out to the other places making harnesses and got either no answer or rude ones. Recently one company said, paraphrasing, I don’t have time to answer questions! YnZ’s is always friendly and answers right away.

Now, who should I have make the wiring harness? I talked with Max Merritt. They do not make them. I have never had a bad experience with Max Merritt. I left emails and voicemails foe other places. If anyone has had experiences with harness manufacturers, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Max Merritt suggested a call a wiring harness company directly.

Wiring unlimited seems to be the most economical at $1695, plus shipping. It is more because of the R11 and clutch.

I found my headliner has some weight in between the 1st and 2nd bows. Given that I found evidence of mice in the trunk I suppose they got into the headliner. To do it correctly I suppose I will tear it all out and run wires the way the factory did it.

Not necessarily mice but if you've had them, best to remove and disinfect it anyway, or replace it. As for the weight in the headliner, it is probably the insulation pads that had been glued to the underside of the roof have fallen down.