Did you say goodbye to the 70's wiring??

[Caparco]

Are you guys familiar with this article?

https://www.allpar.com/history/mopar/electrical.html

Who of us have taken out the old stuff and added the more reliable Morden set Up.
(course as a daily driver I mean, not a trophy winning resto) 🏆
I know myself, years ago first thing I did was take out the points system and put in electronic ignition.put a aftermarket starter in (with heat shield) to fit next to the TTI headers
   Well after years of a short in the system constant starting and charging trouble I was led to this article
Anyone actually do this?.. Wire your alternator directly to the battery?.. You have success with it and prefer it?

[dodj]

A lot of us have the alt o/p wired directly to the battery. Myself included. Unloading the bulkhead connector is the way to go for reliability.

[Chryco Psycho]

Most of the cars I have worked on we have run the Alt charging wire to the start relay / battery especially if the car is not stock & has extra accessories & or or has a higher output alternator , this makes the Ammeter useless so I also connect both wires at the ammeter onto 1 post .

[ledphoot]

If you want your car to be safe and reliable it's a pretty good idea to handle the wiring.. These cars had some bad design elements in the electrical system, the headlights routing through the firewall, the amp meter / alternator, etc. etc.

My Cuda was completely re-wired with M&H reproduction wiring front to back and then we modified the headlight circuit to keep the voltage in the engine compartment using relays, alternator direct wired to battery and voltmeter instead of ammeter etc. I think we used like ONE wire in the original engine compartment harness. It took a lot of work to do it without any butt connectors, still need to test everything out before we loom up the engine compartment wiring. I wager the underside of the dash won't feel all "warm" after driving around with the headlights on for a few hours anymore.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Bypassing the charging circuit through the bulkhead is the big one, next is the headlight circuit. If you can get rid of those two, maintaining a reliable bulkhead connection for everything else is not much trouble.

And yes, I got rid of the 1970's wiring! I also went with LED headlights, better light and I don't need to bother with relays for them.

[superdave]

 

[Scooter]

Previous owner installed a complete Painless harness in my 74, he is an electrical engineer by trade. This is how he felt about the install..





I did the amp meter bypass and bulkhead alternator bypass directly to the starter relay. Installed LED headlights and did not bother replacing that bulkhead circuit as the LED's do not draw that much. Might go back and redo it anyway.

[7212Mopar]

If you inspect the engine hardness, bulkhead connectors to the fuse block, you will likely find melted plastic and dirty connectors, brittle wiring etc. Best to replace them all. Then like others had said, wire from alternator to battery, bypass the ammeter and do a relay kit for the seal beam headlights. I did all these and keep a fire extinguisher in the car.

[Scooter]

^^^ Fire extinguisher is a must have. Seen too many car-ber-que's could have been easily avoided with one. Toss one under the driver side front tire at every show & shine too.

[Caparco]

 wow this is great info guys thanks I guess it's safe to say that yes everybody has move past this. I need to get with the program. Once my fixed engine gets dropped in I'll be short if wire it all up correctly. Be sure to be looking for me posting on here like a madman when I do LOL

[ledphoot]

all of my vehicles have the larger size element fire extinguisher in them...

https://elementfire.com/

[Caparco]

You know it sure wouldn't be a bad idea if someone could post a nice illustrated diagram of this new,modern bi-pass setup.
I just have the old books. Im sure it can help alot of people and all different kinds of issues.
  I think the Voltage regulator goes piggyback on the alternator now .. Etc.. Etc

[Dakota]

You can find a description and diagram about doing the alternator bypass starting here:

http://madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

The M&H replacement harnesses I bought through Year One leave the heavy red and black wires uninstalled on the bulkhead connector.   You can clip them in if you're going with the stock set up but it was one nice small touch that makes it easier to do the bypass.

[Caparco]

You can find a description and diagram about doing the alternator bypass starting here:

http://madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amperage's.shtml

Okay I just got off the phone with the author of this article. Mark Hamilton, what an amazing man! He truly is rare, with a passion for fixing what's broke end electrical work, things most people have little interest in or knowledge about. With that combination let him to a busy life. Teaching instead of doing the work for you. He has inspired me to learn what I don't know and fix it myself.
  With a wealth of Knowledge from Chrysler to GM to Ford. This old timer knows what's right and what's wrong across the board even if it is the chief engineer and designer of these old cars!
  If you like to talk about the old cars and have a passion for them. Do yourself a favor and give this guy a call.You're sure to enjoy it and learn a lot!
  Thanks for the great lead Dakota

[Chryco Psycho]

 I have to agree , I have installed about 8 of the aftermarket wiring systems , probably more , Painless is just the name !!