Engine Harness - Which One ?

Maverick · July 8th, 2008, 12:12 PM

I have a 1971 Olds 442 that looks like a dog threw up spaghetti under the hood. Wires everywhere. Most not connected. All from previous owner. WHat harness do I need to clean this up ? Most of it is around the firewall.

Brent

joe_padavano · July 8th, 2008, 02:11 PM

The underhood harness is two major parts, the engine harness and the forward lamp harness. The two harnesses have firewall connectors that fit together into one square connector that mates to the connector on the back of the fuse panel at the firewall. If you remove the center bolt on the firewall connector and pull it away from the firewall, you'll be able to separate the two halves of the connector and thus tell which harness is bad.

Olds64 · July 8th, 2008, 05:40 PM

I think you can get replacement engine and lamp harnesses from Painless wiring. Although, if you take the plugs apart it will let you track those stray wires down. Good luck. I need to do the same.

68conv455 · July 16th, 2008, 08:10 PM

Year One has what you are looking for if you are looking for a simple solution. They have a 71 engine harness set up for a v8 with auto, or, a v8 with manual priced at $109 in my old catalogue. They also have the front light harness if you need that one.

nonhog · July 24th, 2008, 03:20 PM

I just bought a harness from OPGI which still had the M&H sticker on the bag .
Shop around !

Chumley · July 30th, 2008, 07:35 PM

I have bought harnesses from M&H with no problems whatsoever. They are EXACT replicas of the originals. They will even do conversions for things like HEI if you want. I give them a thumbs up. Chumley

oldsconv · July 30th, 2008, 08:51 PM

Just a point of note - Painless is a very reputable company (I am not criticizing), but from what I have seen, the harnesses are more of an assemble yourself deal with wiring and connectors you can make to custom lengths. I think it is more meant for applications where you might want to customize something. Better when you are making big mods or for hotrods. They may also make exact harnesses as well, not sure. My 2 cents is Look for an exact repro that has all exact wires, colors, lengths and is pre-wrapped and ready to go. I used M & H from CA and also Lectric Limited. Both of these are sold by some of the major parts houses and make exact repros or as close as feasible.

July 8th, 2008, 12:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Maverick Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 40	Engine Harness - Which One ? I have a 1971 Olds 442 that looks like a dog threw up spaghetti under the hood. Wires everywhere. Most not connected. All from previous owner. WHat harness do I need to clean this up ? Most of it is around the firewall. Brent __________________ '71 Cutlass Supreme

July 8th, 2008, 02:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
joe_padavano Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,396	The underhood harness is two major parts, the engine harness and the forward lamp harness. The two harnesses have firewall connectors that fit together into one square connector that mates to the connector on the back of the fuse panel at the firewall. If you remove the center bolt on the firewall connector and pull it away from the firewall, you'll be able to separate the two halves of the connector and thus tell which harness is bad. __________________ Joe Padavano 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 84 Custom Cruiser 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)

July 8th, 2008, 05:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	I think you can get replacement engine and lamp harnesses from Painless wiring. Although, if you take the plugs apart it will let you track those stray wires down. Good luck. I need to do the same. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

July 30th, 2008, 08:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
oldsconv Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 44	Wiring Just a point of note - Painless is a very reputable company (I am not criticizing), but from what I have seen, the harnesses are more of an assemble yourself deal with wiring and connectors you can make to custom lengths. I think it is more meant for applications where you might want to customize something. Better when you are making big mods or for hotrods. They may also make exact harnesses as well, not sure. My 2 cents is Look for an exact repro that has all exact wires, colors, lengths and is pre-wrapped and ready to go. I used M & H from CA and also Lectric Limited. Both of these are sold by some of the major parts houses and make exact repros or as close as feasible.

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July 16th, 2008, 08:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
68conv455 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 259	Year One has what you are looking for if you are looking for a simple solution. They have a 71 engine harness set up for a v8 with auto, or, a v8 with manual priced at $109 in my old catalogue. They also have the front light harness if you need that one.

July 24th, 2008, 03:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
nonhog Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: PNW Posts: 94	I just bought a harness from OPGI which still had the M&H sticker on the bag . Shop around !

July 30th, 2008, 07:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chumley Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 217	I have bought harnesses from M&H with no problems whatsoever. They are EXACT replicas of the originals. They will even do conversions for things like HEI if you want. I give them a thumbs up. Chumley

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