Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I'm feeling more and more uncomfortable about the condition of the electrical system in my 1956 Executive. To much "repaired" and altered by people who obviously did not know exactly what they were doing, combined with age...

Instead of fixing wire after wire, I'm considering having installed a new wire harness in the car. I can't do work by myself. Is there a recommendable source for such a harness to make things easier for the shop?

Start by asking the vendors in The Packard Club Yellow Pages, www.packardclub.org, and on this site, packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/mxdirectory

I am sure there will be recommendations from some who have used a certain vendor.

big kev,,

replaced his

Yes, but I didn't use a replacement harness made for a Packard. I use a aftermarket GM style street-rod harness for a couple of reasons.

1) All the original wiring was rat chewed
2) I wanted the extra circuit for power windows, locks, AC and etc
3) Converted to 12, so the thicker gauge 6v harness was not required.
4) I'm a cheap bastard.

You probably going to spend around $1,200 for a reproduction "Packard" harness. Plus figure another $400-$500 in labor for a shop to reinstall it for you. Also depending on the routing on the '56 cars, part of the headliner may have to get pulled loose to run the rear harness. So figure that into the calculations also.

Replacing a harness is not a pleasant job to do on a assembled car. Not trying to be doom and gloom, just giving you the straight facts so you know what to expect.

BigKev,

I agree on the wiring harness choice. Aftermarket (Painless, I believe) is what KevinAZ used on his 1955 400 and that's what I'll use on my 56 Panther (nee Clipper) for all the reasons you stated except already 12V.

Craig

Michaelk,

I sleep better knowing that I replaced my wiring harness. My particular car served as a field car for a portion of its life near Casa Grande AZ for a number of years. The intense dry heat of the deserts in southwestern USA is brutal on wiring, fabrics and plastics. In my case it simply made sense to replace the wiring. I chose the PAINLESS harness for the reasons BigKev previously mentioned. Here are a few pictures of my harness and engine compartment. NOT original obviously, but reminiscent of the era in my opinion.

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Y n' Z's Yesterday in California makes the 1956 Packard wire harnesses, just like original.